M. H. ROURKE, 

Bookseller and Stationer, 

94 N. Pearl Street, 

Albany, N. Y. 




dass_f 



Book 1 



fSO 



I 



'1 : ^ ■' ~ 




.X jL. 



RECEIVING HIS commission AS LIEUTENANT-GENERAL 



THE 



T ANNE R-B O Y 



HOW HE BECAME LIEUTENANT-GENERAL. 

By MAJOR PENNIMAN. 

D^-72] Son, CkeLrl, e*> VV/ieeUr- 



The boy is father to the man." 



FIFTH THOUSAND. 



BOSTON: 

ROBERTS BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, 

143, Washington Street. 

1864. 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 18&i, by 

ROBERTS BROTHERS, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. 






<so 



boston: 

BTBBEOTTPED AND K KII T K B «T JOHN WILSON ASH SOV, 
No. 5, WfctOf Stioot. 



e ti t c a 1 1 a tu 



THE YOUTH OF AMERICA, 

WHO LOVE AND WOULD SERVE 

OUR COUNTRY, 

THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED 
BY 

TILE AUTHOR. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The reader will find this to be not a mere child's 
book. It is designed mainly for the boys of America, 
but not for them exclusively. The boyhood of Lieu- 
tenant -General Ulysses Sidney Grant, of the 
United States Army, is depicted at length in its pages, 
for the purpose of showing, by the record of his 
youthful history, how much the characteristics of the 
boy are developed in the man. 

The boyhood of George Washington, under 
the guidance of his judicious parents, was a key to 
much of his future career. These pages will prove 
that it has been the same with Gen. Grant. The 
book, however, is not confined to the youth of the 
Tanner-Boy. It follows him through his manhood, 
depicts all the leading events of his life, and shows, 
by the concurrent testimony of history, the gradual 
steps of progress by which he has become Lieutenant- 
General. 

[v] ' 



Vi INTRODUCTION. 

In describing events, as they have occurred in 
the life of this remarkable man, descriptions of the 
places visited and occupied by him, with appropriate 
geographical, scientific and statistical facts, have 
been introduced, for the purpose of giving valuable 
information as well as amusement to the reader. 

The great aim of this volume is to inspire and 
diffuse among our people a love of country, a devo- 
tion to the Union, a courage in danger, a hope in 
trial, a fertility of invention, a perseverance of pur- 
pose, a faith in the superintending providence of the 
Almighty, that have distinguished the career and 
made illustrious the name of Grant. 



CONTENTS. 



Chapter p AGB 

I. Emigration of his Ancestors. — The Load of Logs 9 

II. The Horse-Story. — The Canadian Cousin ... 15 

III. The American Merchant. — The Tannery .... 24 

IV. "Can't" not in the Dictionary 32 

V. Goes to West-Point Military Academy .... 36 

VI. Writes to his Father. — How and What he Stu- 
died. — Discipline 43 

VH. Tanning an Insult. — Company Grant 53 

VIII. His Companions 56 

IX. His First Campaign 60 

X. His Campaign continues. — Scenes in Mexico . . 66 

XL Takes part in Battles 73 

XII. At the Surrender of Mexico. — Stationed at the 

West. — Enters Civil Life. — Becomes a Farmer 77 

XIII. Continues in Civil Life. — At Galena. — No Poli- 

tician 88 

XIV. Puts on his Armor again. — Volunteers for the 

Union. — Appointed Colonel. — Cairo Campaign 93 
XV. Testimony to his Associates. — Enlarged Depart- 
ment. — Strict Regulations. — Privations ... 103 
XVI. His rapid Promotion. — Phild? and the Arrow.— 

Moves on Corinth. — Pittsburg Landing . . . 116 
XVII. Command again Enlarged. — Secret Cabals. — 

Suppresses Illicit Trade 129 

XVHI. Advances into the Interior. — Capture of Iuka. 

— Department of Tennessee 143 

fvii] 



Vill . CONTENTS. 

Chapter Page 

XIX. Recovery of the Mississippi 153 

XX. Vicksburg Campaign. — Approaches Vicksburg. 

— Turning the River. — Cave Houses ... 163 
XXI. Holly Springs. — Guarding the Rear, — Seeing 

the Fight. — Vagrants to the Rear .... 174 
XXII. Navigating the Woods. — Bayou Fighting. — 

Cares for the Sick. — Grierson's Expedition 186 
XXIH. Capture of Vicksburg. — Bruinsburg. — First 

Movement on Vicksburg 201 

XXrV. Renewed Activity. — New Conquests. — Pro- 
tects his Troops.— Moves on Chattanooga . 216 
XXV. His Part in Victory. — Results of Chattanooga. 

— Victorious Combinations 228 

XXVI. Pursuit of the Enemy. — Letter from Presi- 
dent Lincoln. — New Conquests 234 

XXVII. Made Lieutenant-General. — Power and Duty. 

— Visits St. Louis. — Popular Demonstrations 240 
XXVIII. Called to "Washington. — Commission bestowed 251 
XXIX. No Revelry in Battle Time. — Council of War. 

— In the Field. — No Field Carriages . . . 255 
XXX. Condition of the Republic. — Slavery caused 

the War. — Division at the North .... 262 
XXXI. On to Richmond. — The Rebel Capital. — For- 
ward March! 268 

XXXII. First Richmond Battle. — Second Richmond 

Battle. — Change of Position 274 

XXXHI. Continued Battles. — Despatches. — Lee short 

of Supplies.— The "Stonewall" Brigade . 281 

XXXIV. Manners and Habits % . 289 

XXXV. More News from tiie Front. — Dying Heroes . 295 
XXXVI. "Come in, Soldier." — "Don't believe it!" — 

The Pocket Compass 301 

XXXVII. The Fight Continues. — Address to the Troops. 

— Flag of Truce. — Conclusion 307 



THE TANNER-BOY. 



CHAPTER I. 

EMIGRATION OF HIS ANCESTORS. 

EARLY in the morning of a bright day in June, 
1799, the work of removal began in the family 
of a Pennsylvania farmer. Like his ancestors before 
him, he had lived many years in the beautiful county 
of Westmoreland, — the name of the county in Vir- 
ginia in which Washington was born. His grand- 
father had come across the ocean from Scotland. 
Some of his*kindred had been among the first settlers 
in the colonies of Connecticut and New Jersey. 
But the time had now arrived for an emigration 
farther west. The rich lands of Ohio, which were 
then being opened up to the cultivation of wider 
fields of grain, held out their tempting prizes to the 
Pennsylvanian. What was then called the North- 
western Territory was full of attractions to those 
living on the older settled lands. Jesse R. Grant 
felt the force of these attractions, and emigrated with 
his father's family from his native Westmoreland to 

[9] 



10 THE TANNER-BOY. 

the township of Point Pleasant, county of Clermont, 
in Ohio. 

About the time of which we are now writing 
another Pennsylvanian, a farmer by the name of 
John Simpson, removed with his household to Cler- 
mont County, on the Ohio river, near Cincinnati. 
The neighborhoods were but sparsely settled then ; 
and it was not long, as they all emigrated from 
the same State, before the Grants and the Simp- 
sons came to be well acquainted. Jesse Grant 
and Hannah Simpson " made a match," and in due 
time were lawfully married. Jesse was a quiet, 
cautious, earnest young man, with an abundant sup- 
ply of resolution and perseverance. He was fond of 
business, and soon resolved that he would add a tan- 
nery to his farm, near one of the flourishing villages 
of Ohio. Hannah was a young woman of remarkable 
good sense, with a calm, serious, domestic tempera- 
ment. She loved her home, as all gocfd wives and 
mothers always do. Entering into her husband's 
enterprise with all the energy of character peculiar 
to successful Western pioneers, she aided much in his 
material prosperity. They were a happy pair. The 
soil of their birth was dear to them, and they prized 
it all the more highly that it was all free. 

The ordinance of the Congress of the United 
States had made all that north-western region sacred 
to human freedom. No slaves were allowed to be 
held in the land. Hence the farmers, the mechanics, 



EMIGEATION OF HIS ANCESTORS. 11 

the manufacturers, moved rapidly and gladly into the 
new and fruitful territory, happy to find such wide 
openings for their industry, where the virgin soil 
should be unpolluted by the curse of slavery. 

On the twenty-seventh day of April, 1822, the first 
child of Jesse and Hannah Grant was born. He 
was called Hiram Ulysses Grant; but subsequent- 
ly this was changed to Ulysses Sidney Grant, and 
by that name he is now known to the world. Had 
the name " Hiram " been retained, there are many 
who would have been reminded by it of an illustrious 
master-workman of old, whose skill as an architect, 
and whose industry as a builder, are made immortal 
in the history of the temple of King Solomon, at 
Jerusalem. But the name " Ulysses " is in some re- 
spects equally celebrated, and will be always remem- 
bered in connection with strategy and courage in war. 

"Ulysses," said his father to the boy one day, 
* I want you to drive the team down to the woods, 
where the hands are ready to load up some logs." 

Ulysses was then but twelve years old ; but the 
spirit of enterprise and self-reliance he had received 
from his parents was strong within him. He there- 
fore started at once with the team, and found the 
logs, but no men to load them. 

"Ah ! " said Ulysses to himself, "I see how it is. 
These logs have got to be loaded ; for father wants 
them. I must make up in wit what I lack in 
strength." 



12 ' THE TANNER-BOY. 

So be looked carefully around him, until he came 
to a fallen tree, one end of which was lying on the 
stump, about the height of his cart from the ground. 
Unhitching his team, he drew the log nearest to him 
up the side of the prostrate tree, and so on with the 
next, until all he wanted were in the right position. 
He then backed his cart under the load, and drew 
each los: over the tree, fastened it with his chain to 
the cart, and drove off triumphantly with his team, 
reaching his home in safety. 

M Why, Ulysses ! " said his father, as he saw him 
driving up. "Where are the men? Didn't they 
help you?" 

"I don't know where they are," replied the boy ; 
" and I don't care either : for I got the load without 
them." 

This was the first home enterprise of Ulysses. It 
was an early and striking indication of his character, 
showing a latent power to adapt means to ends in any 
emergency. 

The occupation of the father was such that the 
son was frequently placed exclusively in the care of 
his mother. She, however, was not content to leave 
him, as many mothers leave their children, to the 
routine instruction of the common-school of the 
neighborhood. It was her belief that home-influence 
means something more than merely providing a ris- 
ing family with the necessaries of life. Her lessons 
of duty as a mother were learned from the Holy Book : 



THE LOAD OF LOGS. 13 

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and, 
when he is old, he will not depart from it." She saw 
and read beautiful applications of this great truth in 
the "book of nature, ever open before her in that 
Western land. The birds of the forest taught her 
wisdom, which she, in turn, taught to her children. 
These creatures of the infinite Father were numerous 
around her dwelling then ; for they were but seldom 
molested by the rifle of the huntsman, or scared from 
their pleasant homes among the leaves by the horns 
of the boatmen, the shriek of the railroad locomotive, 
or the thunder of the train of cars. They came to 
the sugar-maple, and white-wood, and black-walnut 
trees that stood near her doors and windows, and 
built their little houses of thatch and clay, and reared 
their families beside hers. Here they talked to one 
another in their bird-language ; here % they twittered, 
and chirped, and sang ; here the elder guarded the 
younger, not only feeding them at stated hours, but 
fluttering above them, pluming their tender wings, 
and even bearing them on their backs until they had 
taught them to fly, and go forth into the wide world 
of woods and prairies, of lakes and rivers, to provide 
for themselves. 

So the mother of Ulysses Grant taught him to 
depend on himself, while yet a boy. He was thus 
shown by a Christian pioneer mother how to practise 
true independence, — that self-reliance which is one of 
the great secrets of a useful life. It was this that 



14 THE TANNER-BOY. 

had carried his father, in his own younger days, from 
the fields of Pennsylvania to the broader acres of Ohio. 
This example of his father was ever before the boy, 
when with him ; and the force of its influence was re- 
inculcated by the mother in the precepts of home. 

Mingled with her strong religious traits, Mrs. 
Grant had a quaint humor. It frequently showed 
itself in the quiet ripples of her handsome mouth, 
even when it found no expression in words. Some- 
times she would say to her boy, — 

"Ulysses, I mean you shall not come to a bad 
name, if I can help it. Your father has called you 
by a great one ; and if you will follow the advice of 
your mother as well as that of your father, no one 
will ever call you Useless Grant." 

By this time the good mother would be in a broad 
smile, which lingered like sunshine in her eyes after 
her words had died away. No stronger summons 
could start the boy to duty than the short call of the 
woman-pioneer, — 

M Quick, my lad ! They sha'n't call you Useless ! " 

Inspiration to diligence, to obedience, to persever- 
ance and success, thus came to young Grant from 
the charmed circle of home. He saw his father suc- 
cessful ; he saw that success in part promoted by his 
mother. How could he fail, he asked himself, to 
succeed also, since he had their united examples and 
precepts to inspire him ? 



CHAPTEK n. 



THE HORSE-STORY. 



AS the hardy yeomen of Pennsylvania had pos- 
sessed themselves of some of the best horses 
America produces, so the emigrants from that noble 
old State to the younger States of the West carried the 
same custom with them. All classes, from the oldest 
to the youngest, were supposed to be good judges of 
horse-flesh. In Ohio, this was an important requi- 
site. The country was of such a nature, that large, 
strong horses were necessary for the profitable culti- 
vation of the crops and the prosecution of business. 

In the working of his tannery and farm, Jesse 
Grant required another Corse. He sent Ulysses, who 
was then assisting him in the tan-yard, to make the 
purchase. The animal was to be bought of a neigh- 
bor ; and the boy was anxious to make a trade that 
would please his father. Young as he was then, he 
had learned the difference in horses. 

" Go to neighbor Ealston, my son," said Mr. Grant, 
w and tell him I have sent you to buy the horse we 
talked about. You may offer him fifty dollars at 
first. If he says he won't take that, offer him fifty- 

[15] 



16 THE TA^EK-BOY. 

five. If that won't bring the creetur, you might go 
as high as sixty." 

Ulysses started on his expedition, and soon reached 
the neighbor and the horse. 

"Your father sent you to buy this mare of me, did 
he? " inquired Mr. Ralston. 

"Yes, sir, he did," replied young Grant, eying the 
animal closely. 

" Did he tell you how much you were to give me 
for him?" continued Ralston, looking down on the 
thirteen-year-old trader. 

"Yes, sir," responded Ulysses in the frankness 
and integrity of his nature. 

" Father told me to offer you fifty dollars for the 
horse ; and then he said, if you wouldn't take that, I 
might rise to fifty-five, but I mustn't go above 
sixty." 

" Oh, that's it ! " said neighbor Ralston. " Sixty 
dollars is my price for the mare." 

Ulysses, with a look of youthful gravity becoming 
the occasion, quickly added, " Father said I might 
give sixty dollars ; but, after seeing the horse again, 
I don't think she's worth more than fifty to us : 
so you may take that, or it's no trade." 

Neighbor Ralston looked at the little fellow, quite 
astonished. But he saw that Ulysses had the best of 
the bargain ; that he had been outwitted by a smart 
boy. He let him have the horse for fifty dollars ; 
and Ulysses rode her home to his father. 




THE HORSE STORY. 



THE CANADIAN COUSIN. 17 

Here was the first practical illustration of youthful 
self-reliance. It shows that Ulysses, the tanner-boy, 
had a mind of his own. We shall see, as we go on 
with our story of his life, how well he maintains this 
character. The youth who studies obedience to 
parents, who rightly honors his father and mother, 
will sooner or later enjoy the reward of his well- 
doing. 

Ulysses had a cousin who was born in Canada. It 
was natural that this cousin, who was a spirited boy, 
should have learned something from his ancestors 
prejudicial to the Americans. Some of the most 
bitter enemies of the United States are to be found 
in the British North- American provinces. This is 
owing to the fact that among their forefathers were to 
be found many of the Tories of the American Invo- 
lution, — the men who sided against America in favor 
of the attempt of the British Crown to maintain its 
hold on all the North- American continent. The resi- 
dent Englishmen did not all feel so. Their fathers 
fought the Americans in battle ; and, when they were 
conquered, they withdrew from the country, under 
the regulations of an honorable peace. They could 
not but respect the character of a nation which had 
proved its valor through a bloody struggle that lasted 
for seven years, and that had triumphed over the 
most powerful and most warlike people of modern 
Europe. Nearly all of the tens of thousands who 
departed from the shores of America to their homes 



18 THE TANNER-BOY. 

over the sea looked back with interest on a land 
whose inhabitants, under the blessing of Heaven, had 
won their independence from the arms of their strong 
invaders. Hundreds of intelligent Englishmen, im- 
pressed with the attractions of the country through 
which they had marched as soldiers, paused at the 
threshold of debarkation, turned back, and remained 
to dwell in the ransomed land of the new Republic, 
as peaceful citizens. 

This was not the case, however, with the great 
majority of the Tories. Having had no real valor 
themselves, they could not recognize its existence 
among the American patriots. They had skulked 
through the country when it was invaded by foreign 
armies, covertly furnishing them with arms, ammuni- 
tion, food, clothing, and ambush; and, now that these 
armies were being withdrawn, there was nothing left 
for them but to skulk out of the country in disgrace. 
Some of them went to England, where they lived and 
died in despised obscurity. The great majority of 
them emigrated to the British provinces of New 
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Canada, where they 
have ever since vented their spite against Republican 
America. The descendants of these recreants are 
among the worst enemies America now has. They 
lose no occasion to attempt to injure a country for 
whose welfare they never had any genuine sympathy, 
and from whose wounded bosom they had been cast 
out with deserved scorn and contempt. 



THE CANADIAN COUSIN. 19 

The boy-cousin of Ulysses was one of the offspring 
of this class of people. The two youths met as rela- 
tives ; and, whenever the Canadian restrained his 
inherited prejudices, their intercourse was pleasant. 
He had come to America to be educated. The 
schools of the Republic, thanks to our republican 
ancestors who founded them, were of such a class as 
to make them desirable. Within their friendly 
walls, surrounded by all the allurements of learning, 
Ulysses and John studied together. They were 
equals in birth, equals in opportunities, equals in 
prospects ; but there was in the young Canadian 
that secret, insolent, overbearing assumption of su- 
periority, which has so long been claimed, not only by 
the British colonists of the North, but by the native- 
American settlers of the South, in our own country. 
This plantation demand, to be acknowledged and 
legalized as superior over the American people of the 
northern portion of the United States, is the main- 
spring of the lawless and barbarous war that was 
begun by the slaveholders of the South, when, in 
April, 1861, they fired their first gun at the national 
flag on Fort Sumter. 

Ulysses Grant felt all the true impulse of patriot- 
ism when a student at school. It was his convic- 
tion, born and nourished in his boy's heart, that 
his country was the equal of any other, and that 
his countrymen were the equals of the best of man- 
kind. 



20 THE TANNER-BOY. 

"Speaking of Washington," said his Canadian 
cousin, one day, "it seems to me, Ulysses, you ap- 
pear to think a great deal of him." 

" And why shouldn't I ? " quickly replied the tan- 
ner-boy. " He is the Father of my country, and 
was raised up by the Almighty to lead it to inde- 
pendence." 

" All very fine," retorted John ; "but he was a trai- 
tor to his king ! " 

"A what?" asked Ulysses, raising his voice. 

" Washington was a traitor, a rebel ! " continued 
Canadian, now putting on the overseer tone and 
manner. 

"Cousin John," calmly replied Ulysses, "would 
you like to have your sovereign called hard names ? " 

" Why, no : I can't say I should." 

"Well, then, let me tell you plainly, that I will 
not allow you or any one to insult the memory of 
Washington ! " 

" What are you going to do about it ? " queried 
John, with a "sneer. 

" Do ? I shall resent it, as I have a right to. You 
may take advantage of me ; for you are older than I 
am. My mother has told me not to quarrel with my 
schoolmates ; and I mean to mind her, and shall not 
attack them on my own account. But when Wash- 
ington is assailed, and especially by an English boy, 
I shall defend the Father of my country. Cousin or 
no cousin, I am ready to fight for Washington." 



THE CANADIAN COUSIN. 21 

So saying, Ulysses laid off his jacket, and soon 
convinced the Canadian reviler that he was in earn- 
est. Blow quickly followed blow, until young Grant 
was the victor. The false assertions of the elder boy 
were corrected, and he compelled to admit that he 
had done wrong. As he would have defended his 
own chief ruler, so he was forced to acknowledge that 
Ulysses had done right in not submitting to hear 
Washington insulted. 

Not long after, Ulysses returned home to his 
parents. It was evident to them at once that the boy 
had been in a fight. 

"How is this, my son?" asked the careful mother, 
ever watchful for her child. " Have I not told you 
not to quarrel with your schoolmates? Have you 
forgotten that I promised to chastise you, if you were 
guilty of such a thing ? " 

Ulysses told his parents the story. He did not 
deny that he had fought his cousin. Neither did he 
conceal his great provocation. He had not fought 
for himself, nor his playthings, nor his playgrounds. 
It was a contest for principle; for his native country; 
for a patriot his father and mother had both taught 
him to reverence. 

The mother paused ; and while she stood looking 
at the boy, her eyes brimming with her mingled emo- 
tions of patriotism, love, and maternal duty, the 
father broke the silence : — 

"Mother," he said, calling her by the name the 



22 THE TANNER-BOY. 

true husband almost unconsciously adopts, M I don't 
think you ought to punish the boy. He has come 
straight home after the difficulty, and told us the 
whole story. You see, he didn't fight from malice 
or revenge, or the love of fighting. In my judgment, 
he did exactly right ; for the boy who would not fight 
to defend Washington is not worthy to be the son of 
Jesse and Hannah Grant." 

This settled the question. While paternal disci- 
pline was not defied or set at nought, patriotism was 
honored at the fireside of the American pioneers. 
The tanner-boy was taught to be a patriot, even at 
the expense of bruises from the hands of a foreign 
cousin. * 

" It is the purpose of the Almighty," continued Mr. 
Grant in the presence of the mother and son, "to 
redress all human wrongs. It is Christian to take 
up arms in defence of right, if right cannot be de- 
fended in any other way. Ulysses has but done his 
duty in standing up for his country. Should we not 
have been ashamed of the boy if he had done any 
differently? In my opinion, it marks the manhood in 
him ; and, if his life is spared, he may yet do a great 
work in the world." 

Both mother and son listened attentively. She, 
with all a mother's watchful care, followed up the 
intimations of the father. That night, ere sleep 
closed the eyelids of the boy, she unfolded to his 
mind other thoughts ; laying before him the necessity 



THE CANADIAN COUSIN. 23 

of looking to Heaven for direction, even in the redress 
of wrongs ; showing him what the example of Wash- 
ington really was ; and impressing on him, that to be 
like the Father of our country was to be not only 
great, but good. 



CHAPTER in. 

THE AMERICAN MERCHANT. 

THE characteristic assertion of American patriot- 
ism by Jessie Grant, that closed our last chapter, 
has found many striking illustrations among other 
Americans. A case occurred, not long since, in one 
of the large cities of Great Britain. We introduce 
it here for the purpose of enforcing still further the 
patriotic object these pages have in view. 

An American merchant, on a torn" of business 
through certain parts of England, having occasion to 
call at a bank, where he gave evidence of the pos- 
session of large means, was invited by the manager 
of the institution into his elegant parlor. A spirited 
conversation ensued. 

" When do you expect your war will be over in 
America, sir?" inquired the manager of the Ameri- 
can merchant. 

" Really, sir, that is a difficult question to answer 
just now : but the loyal people of my country are 
doing the best they can to close it as soon as pos- 
sible ; provided it can be done in an honorable 

manner." 

[24] 



THE AMERICAN MERCHANT. 25 

"It's a bad business for us, sir, on this side the 
water, to have this terrible war go on so long." 

"The war is a great calamity to us in America, 
sir : but the United States were forced into it ; and, 
if we are let alone by foreign powers, we shall close 
it all the sooner." 

"But what do you think of your Mr. Lincoln? 
Does he not show a great want of capacity for such 
a crisis ? " 

" Excuse me, sir," replied the American with firm- 
ness : " I cannot answer such a question in such a 
place as this. You have transacted my business for 
me to your own pecuniary advantage, and now have 
invited me into your parlor to insult the President of 
my country ! What, am I to think of it, sir ? " 

" Oh ! I beg your pardon," stammered the man- 
ager. "I really meant no harm, sir." 

" That may be, sir ; but I will tell you what I 
think of such conduct by asking you a question. 
Suppose, sir, that you had come to America, and I 
had invited you into my counting-room, and there 
asked you what you thought of Queen Victoria ; and 
added, that I considered she exhibited f great want of 
capacity : ' what would you say to me, sir ? " 

" Ah ! yes ; I see," quickly responded the manager. 
" You American gentlemen are so sensitive ! " 

" Yes, sir, we are sensitive ; exactly as sensitive as 
all real patriots are, when the honor of country is 
concerned. My country, a republic, is as dear to 



26 THE TANNER-BOY. 

me as your country, a monarchy, is to you. My 
President is as high in my esteem as your Queen is in 
yours." 

"Yes, yes," rapidly responded the manager again : 
"you are right, sir, you are right. Let us be friends." 

"Pardon me, sir," concluded the American, bow- 
ing politely, "if I remind you of the sacred in- 
junction : f They that would have friends must be 
themselves friendly.' Good-morning, sir ! " 

It was under this high and noble spirit of devotion 
to country that the parents of Ulysses Grant reared 
him at home. That home was the home of an Ame- 
rican tanner, — the home of people who earned their 
honest bread by the warm sweat of honest brows ; 
but it was none the less exalted # and honorable than 
the sumptuous parlors of the English bank-manager. 
Like the home of the President of the Republic in his 
early days, it was the abode of Christian, devotion, 
purity, free labor, and happiness. No liveried lac- 
keys stood at the doors of the pioneer of Illinois, or 
the tanner of Ohio ; but freedom, contentment, and 
true greatness, were the servants and the served. 
Let us see which of these homes — those of England 
or America — will stand the longest in our world. 

Are there some of our young readers who have 
never seen a tannery ? Well, the Major will tell them 
what it is. A tannery is a place where the skins of 
animals — such as oxen, cows, horses, sheep, and 
hogs — are all made into leather for boots and shoes. 



THE TANNERY. 27 

It is so named because the skins, when done, and all 
ready for use, are said to be tanned by the bark of 
trees. This bark is all dried, and then cut up in 
pieces, or ground into powder, and applied to the 
skins in places dug and boarded in the ground, called 
vats, that contain water, lime, and other articles. 
There is a juice in the bark, that goes into all the 
pores of the skin of the animal, that cures or tans 
it, and makes it leather. 

This was one of the kinds of work that Ulysses 
did when he was a boy. His father had done the 
same work before him. It is done in every part of 
the world where bark and skins are to be found, and 
people have learned how to tan. When Ulysses 
began to work with his father and his men in the 
tanyard, skins aud bark were more plenty in that 
part of the State of Ohio than they are now. The 
head tanner, and all his family who were able to do 
so, took hold of the work themselves. The hardy 
settlers helped one another, and Ulysses very soon 
learned to do his part. He was a boy who was not 
to be put back in a good work by difficulties. He 
grappled right in with opposition, and worked away 
until it was overcome. Many a boy has now a 
father and mother who think as much of him as the 
parents of Ulysses Grant thought of their son ; but 
it is not every boy who is as obedient, industrious, 
and persevering as he was. It was this that made 
his father and mother love him so well, and that led 



28 THE TANNER-BOY. 

them to do so much for him. Ulysses was a good 
boy. He saw his parents constantly at work, during 
working-hours, for his comfort and happiness. This 
made him grateful to them for their kindness, and 
attentive to all their wants. He resolved to do well 
what he had to do, as his father always taught him 
in his trade. 

" My son," said he, one day, " do you see these 
fresh skins that have just come in?" 

w Yes, sir : I was looking at them as they came off 
the cart." 

" Do you notice how pliable and tough they are ? " 

"Yes, sir." 

It seems, almost, as if they could be made at once 
into clothing for man : but you will observe, that, as 
they dry, they become hard and horny ; and after 
that, if they get wet, they are soon putrid." 

" I have seen pieces in that state, father, among 
the refuse in the tanyard." 

" Yes ; and, now, would you like to know how 
these skins can be saved from being too hard and 
from becoming offensive?" 

" Indeed I should, sir ; for I want to learn all I 
can." 

" Well, then, I will tell you. This work of mak- 
ing leather has been known in the world a great 
many years. The word 'leather' is from the old 
Saxon, or the language first spoken by the people of 
Saxony, in Europe. It means, lith, lithe, or lither ; 



THE TANNERY. 29 

that is, pliable or supple. The outer part of the 
skin of animals is covered with hair, or wool, or 
bristles. This has all to be removed in tanning ; but 
the inner skin, or that nearest the flesh, is the best 
part for being tanned. Some parts of the skin are 
thicker than others, — such as the part about the 
mane, or neck, the back, and the shoulders. The 
thinnest part is that on the stomach." 

" I have noticed different kinds of leather. What 
do you call their names, father? " 

"Tanned leather, my son, is of three kinds,— 
hides, kips, and skins. These, again, are known as 
buts and backs ; which are taken from the largest 
kinds of oxen. It is of these hides that leather is 
made for the soles of boots and shoes. 

" Grained leather is so called because the hair is all 
cut or curried from the hair or grain side ; and, after 
being cleansed by a preparation called non-liquor, 
then dried, and then colored and polished. It is 
used for the upper parts of boots and shoes. 

" All the different kinds of leather are prepared in 
a similar manner. Some are highly polished on the 
surface ; some are rendered pliable by being dressed 
in oil and other preparations, so that they will wash 
like cloth, and be soft again when dry." 

"Father, where do they bring so much leather 
from, for all the people who use it?" 

"Hides or skins, my son, are brought from 
many different parts of the world to America. 



30 THE TANNER-BOY. 

There are some forty countries on the earth from 
which the material for making leather is brought to 
the United States. From China, South America, 
Turkey, Africa, Asia, Europe, millions of dollars' 
worth are brought to this country every year ; and 
millions of dollars' worth of tanned leather, and the 
same tiling made up into boots and shoes and other 
articles, are sent out of the United States, and sold, 
each year, to the people of other countries." 

" How many tanneries do you suppose there are in 
this country, besides ours ? " 

" Well, my son, ours, as you call it, is a small one, 
designed mainly for the accommodation of the im- 
mediate neighborhood; but there are over seven 
thousand tanneries in the United States. Over 
seven millions of hides of large cattle — such as 
oxen — are made into leather every year in this 
country ; and over eight millions of skins of smaller 
animals, — such as sheep. Not only boot and shoe 
makers, but harness and saddle makers, carriage- 
makers, ship -riggers, machinists, glove -makers, 
bookbinders, and many other manufacturers, use 
leather in a great variety of ways. The bark to 
tan with is. brought in large quantities from Peru, 
Mexico, and other countries ; but it is found in great 
abundance here at home. It is supplied to us from 
Germany, Holland, Norway, Spain, Italy, and Aus- 
tralia. A species of tan-bark is produced by the 
tree called the larch; but the principal supply of 



THE TANNERY. 31 

all is from the oak bark called quercitron, grown in 
the United States. 

" Thus you see, my son, what it is to be a tanner." 
"Yes, father ; and I understand now what it is to 
be a tanner-boy." 

"Ulysses, remember this as long as you live, that 
it is honorable for a boy to learn any trade that is an 
honest one. Washington learned a trade, and was 
not ashamed to follow it for a living. Let it be your 
constant aim, my son, to do what you commence to 
do, that is right, with all your heart. When you 
begin a good thing, go through with it. Don't 
leave your leather only half tanned : if you do, it 
will spoil, and be a dead loss on your hands. Plenty 
of lime, plenty of clean water, plenty of tan, plen- 
ty of oil, plenty of hard work, and your leather is 
made ; and, when it is made, it is a good thing. 
Remember the old saying, f There is nothing like 
leather.' Resolve, in your youth, that it shall be so 
with you in every thing. Never begin a work unless 
you intend to go through with it. You know that 
the best leather is that which sometimes looks the 
worst in the hide ; and that the most elegant and 
durable specimens are frequently found, after much 
labor, at the bottom of the vat. 

' Honor and shame from no condition rise : 
Act well your part ; there all the honor lies.' ". 

So the father of Ulysses taught him ; and so he 
grew up as an American boy. 



CHAPTER IV. 

"can't" not in the dictionary. 

"/"^AN'T" is a little word; and, when applied to 
\j certain things, is not only quite harmless, but 
actually useful. When we speak of it as used in 
work, as to cant around a stick of timber, to cant a 
football, to cant a cask or a box, it is all very well ; 
but when we change the form of it, even in a small 
degree, and it becomes thereby an abbreviation of 
cannot, then it is another word altogether, — a word 
not found in the dictionary. 

Ulysses Grant understood this just right. As he 
advanced in years, and extended his studies in school, 
the usual obstacles in the way of all scholars ap- 
peared to him. 

As he sat at his plain little desk, one pleasant 
morning, about an hour after school had begun, the 
teacher gave out a difficult lesson. The boys had 
come from the region round about. The school- 
house was situated not far from the banks of the 
beautiful Ohio, which the early French travellers 
through that country had called the Queen of Rivers. 
[32] 



"CANT NOT IN THE DICTION ART. 33 

Some of the boys came . several miles every day, on 
foot, to obtain their learning. They rose up early 
in the morning, made the fires in the house for the 
family, fed and milked the cows, saw that the pigs 
and poultry were properly cared for, and then, after 
breakfast, travelled away, book in hand or under 
the arm, to the log schoolhouse in the woods. 

Ulysses, the tanner-boy, was among this number. 
His chores were all done in time : so his father and 
mother did not have to ask him more than once to 
do any thing for them. He felt he could not do too 
much, or that too promptly and cheerfully, for the 
dear parents who had done every thing for him. He 
was, therefore, among the first at school, and the 
first at study. His determination to acquire learning 
was the most marked trait of his character as a 
scholar. Some of the other boys were what might 
be called more brilliant, more showy; but, when 
Ulysses took hold of a lesson, he never stopped until 
he mastered it. He might be slow ; he might be 
tedious ; he might tax the patience of his teacher, 
and awaken a sly sneer from some of his classmates : 
but, sooner or later, he went through the work, and 
came out right. Such was the quiet perseverance of 
the tanner-boy. 

"Now, 'Lyss," said one of his school-fellows to 
Ulysses, "you can't get that lesson, and it's no use 
for you to try." 

" Oh ! you let 'Lyss Grant alone," chimed in another 



34 THE TANNER-BOY. 

boy: "He'll dig out the meaning on't, if anybody 
can." 

"Yes, but I should like to know who can?" con- 
tinued the first lad. K I've tried it hard enough, and 
I can't." 

"You can't?" said Ulysses, looking closely at his 
book, and then turning to his dictionary. 

" Can't? can't?" he continued, with a calm, quick 
glance : " I've examined the C's all through, and there 
is no such word here. l Can't ' is not in the diction- 
ary ! " 

"Well, what of that?" 

" Why, I mean to say that I don't believe in a 
word that is not in the dictionary. I believe the les- 
son can be learned, and I'm going to learn it." 

The lesson was learned, and Ulysses was called 
out by his teacher. 

" I heard," he said, in the presence of the school, 
" the reference of young Grant to the dictionary. He 
is rio-ht. The word f can't ' is not in it. The true 
scholar will never know such a word. He will never 
say ' Can't,' but always say ' Try.' What such a boy 
says he will always do. He will keep on trying 
until the thing is done. When any person tells you 
you can't do a thing, tell him you'll try to do it. 
There was once an admiral in the navy, who was 
asked how he felt when under the influence of feaif, 
in the heat of battle. f Fear ? ' said the brave sailor : 
f I do not know the word.' So let every boy say, 



"can't" not in the dictionary. 35 

like Ulysses Grant, when told he can't learn a diffi- 
cult lesson, 'The word "can't" is not in the diction- 
ary.'" 

The tanner -boy. never ceased to remember this 
little occurrence of his early schoolboy-days. It was 
a lesson to him all his life. As he grew up to man- 
hood, and difficulties and dangers thickened around 
him, he thought of the schoolhouse, and teacher of 
his youth. When he came to command men, and 
they hesitated at his orders, or replied with doubts 
of their ability to obey, he promptly replied, " Gen- 
tlemen, it must be done. At least, we must try. 
The word 'can't' is not in the dictionary." 



CHAPTER V. 

GOES TO WEST-POINT MHJTAKY ACADEMY. 

FIVE years from the time Ulysses was making 
such good progress in school, his parents began 
seriously to think of introducing him to a wider field 
of study, and thus preparing him for a more extended 
sphere of usefulness. He was already of great ser- 
vice to them at home. He had acquired considerable 
practical knowledge of the necessary business of his 
father. With his quick perception of things, he saw 
that leather would always be required in every de- 
partment of civilized life ; and he was glad to think 
that he had spent several years of his boyhood in 
learning the trade of a tanner. He understood that 
the occupation would be valuable to him in after-life. 
And so it was ; so it is now. So will a good trade 
be valuable to every boy who grows up to be a man. 
The more he loves such a trade, the better is his 
chance, with the blessing of Heaven, for success in 
his future career. He may not always need his trade ; 
he will not, perhaps, always pursue it : but the 
labor of having learned it, the habits of industry, 
[36] 



GOES TO WEST-POINT MILITARY ACADEMY. 37 

the feeling of independence and self-reliance, acquired* 
by it, will be of service to him all his days. 

When Ulysses stepped out of the little log school- 
house in Ohio, therefore, and it was decided by his 
parents that he should enter as a cadet at the United- 
States Military Academy at West Point, he was, in 
a measure, prepared for the ordeal of the new post, 
and the subsequent duties of the young soldier. The 
elements of success were already laid deep in the 
foundations of his heart. He felt that he knew 
himself, and should become master of the situa- 
tion. 

Our hero was now just seventeen years of age. 
His admission to the academy had been secured, 
under favorable circumstances, by a friend of his 
father, — General T. L. Hamer, a member of Con- 
gress, at that time, from Ohio. The strong points 
in the character of the tanner-boy now came out in 
the cadet. 

The Military Academy at West Point is a national 
institution, supported by the Government of the 
United States. Its foundations were first laid soon 
after the close of the Revolutionary War, at the sug- 
gestion of Washington. It is located on a point on 
the west bank of the Hudson River, about fifty miles 
from the city of New York. It is designed to furnish 
a thorough education to young men who are expected 
to serve in the national army. The situation is one 
of the most commanding and salubrious in our coun- 



38 THE TANNER-BOY. 

try. The hills overlook the river on both banks, and 
for some distance above and below. From the para- 
pets, the students are practised in the art of gunnery ; 
firing at targets on the opposite shores, and at suita- 
ble distances in the waters of the Hudson. In the 
rear are broad grounds, where the fields are prepared 
for the evolutions of troops, of all arms of the service, 
. — cavalry, infantry, and artillery. The best manner 
of constructing defensive and offensive works is taught 
by practice in engineering, under the most competent 
instructors. The drill and discipline are in accord- 
ance with the strictest rules of fortifications and 
camps, as in time of war. Sapping, mining, and the 
advance of what are called parallel lines of embank- 
ments, are constantly illustrated by lessons in prac- 
tice. The uniforms, the equipments, the rations, the 
routines of duties, are all according to army regula- 
tions ; so that the cadet is expected to perfect himself 
thoroughly in all military tactics and strategy, in 
accordance with the injunction of the Father of our 
country, " In peace prepare for war." 

The word " cadet " means, properly, a son : so 
that the young man who studies the science of war 
in a national military school is really a son of the 
nation, schooled for her defence. At West-Point 
Academy the cadet is to bear arms, to serve as a 
disciplined soldier in his country's cause, until he is 
qualified, by his military knowledge and good conduct, 
to receive a commission. His service is voluntary ; 



GOES TO WEST-POINT MILITARY ACADEMY. 39 

but he receives pay, and is thus distinguished from a 
volunteer. The number of cadets entered at "West 
Point is limited, and proportioned to the ratio of 
voters in every national congressional district. Each 
member of Congress is allowed by law to name one 
cadet or more, according to his representation, under 
certain regulations by the President of the United 
States. At the time we write, it is proposed by 
Congress to empower the President to increase the 
number of cadets several hundred, in order that a 
larger proportion of the young men of the country, 
who are qualified for the position, may enjoy the 
advantages of the school, and thus be able to render 
more service to the country, engaged, as it is, in put- 
ting down the greatest and most wicked rebellion the 
world has ever known. 

It was, therefore, no small mark of confidence in 
the traits of the character of Ulysses Grant, that 
the congressman residing in the district of Jesse 
Grant, the Ohio tanner, selected the boy for a cadet. 
He had neither wealth, nor position, nor influential 
parties, to command the position for him. He was 
called to the post, because by his good conduct, his 
becoming behavior to his parents, his diligence in 
business, his devotion to his studies, his moral integ- 
rity as a boy, he had proved himself worthy of it. 
Let every American lad, who may read this, profit by 
the example ! What one boy has been, another boy 
may be. Remember this. 



40 THE TANNER-BOY. 

No sooner had young Grant entered the academy 
than he gave his best energies to the duties and 
studies before him. Intending to continue in the 
army, in his country's service, he devoted himself to 
the works most likely to be useful to the military 
profession. He did not put on the uniform of a cadet 
merely for show, nor because it gave him an entrance 
into certain grades of society. His first aim was to 
succeed in mathematics, — the study of the use of 
figures, so well calculated to strengthen the memory, 
and bring into full play the reflective powers of the 
mind. Many boys do not like this extension of 
arithmetic, because they do not know, until they may 
learn it by experience, how much good it will do 
them. The student-boy who wants to learn all he 
can about distances, the quantity of things, the size 
of the largest bodies he sees in the earth, water, or 
sky, should strive hard to be a skilful mathematical 
scholar. This is what Ulysses Grant tried to be ; 
and he succeeded. When he exchanged his father's 
tanyard, and humble farm and house, for the grand 
enclosure of the military establishment at West Point, 
he did not forget what he had always been taught by 
his father and mother, — that he still had work to do. 
He therefore went to work, and did it. 

" How did you pass the examination ? " inquired 
his father, in a letter to Ulysses written immediately 
after his entrance. 

The answer was as modest at it was truthful : — 



GOES TO WEST-POINT MILITARY ACADEMY. 41 

" I passed examination on what I had learned by 
hard study," he replied ; " and let me tell you, fath- 
er," he added, " I don't think I shall forget it very 
soon, if ever I do. I don't expect to make very fast 
progress ; but I shall try to hold on to what I get." 

So the tanner-boy went on through his first year 
at the academy. His ambition was not so much to 
shine as it was to learn substantial things, and then 
to remember what he learned. 

In order that our young friends may see something 
of the spirit that actuated Ulysses at this time of his 
entrance on his public career, we append a copy of a 
letter addressed by him to his mother : — 

U. S. West-Point Military Academy, 
June 4, 1839. 

My dear Mother, — I have occasionally been called 
to be separated from you ; but never did I feel the full 
force and effect of this separation as I do now. I seem 
alone in the world, without my mother. There have been 
so many ways in which you have advised me, when, in the 
quiet of home, I have been pursuing my studies, that you 
cannot tell'how much I miss you. When I was busy with 
father in the tannery and on the farm, we were both more 
or less surrounded by others, who took up our attention, 
and occupied our time. But I was so often alone with 
you, and you spoke to me so frequently in private, that the 
solitude of my situation here at the academy, among my 
silent books and in my lonely room, is all the more strik- 
ing: it reminds me all the more forcibly of home, and 
most of all, my dear mother, of you. But, in the midst 

4 



42 THE TANNER-BOY. 

of all this, your kind instructions and admonitions are ever 
present with me. I trust they may never be absent from 
me, as long as I live. How often I think of them ! and 
how well do they strengthen me in every good word and 
work ! 

My dear mother, should I progress well with my studies 
at. West Point, and become a soldier for my country, I am 
looking forward with hope to have you spared to share with 
me in any advancement I may make. I see now, in looking 
over the records here, how much American soldiers of the 
right stamp are indebted to good American mothers. When 
they go to the field, what prayers go with them ! what ten- 
der testimonials of maternal affection and counsel are in 
their knapsacks ! I am struck, in looking over the history 
of the noble struggle of our fathers for national inde- 
pendence, at the evidence of the good influence exerted 
upon them by the women of the Revolution. Ah! my 
beloved friend, how can the present generation ever repay 
the debt it owes the patriots of the past for the sacrifices 
they have so freely and richly made for us ? We may 
well ask, Would our country be what it is now, if it had not 
been for the greatness of our patriotic ancestors ? 

Let me hear from you by letter as often as convenient, 
and send me such books as you think will help me. They 
can be forwarded through the courtesy of our member of 
Congress. 

Faithfully and most lovingly your son, 

Ulysses. 



CHAPTER VI. 



WRITES TO HIS FATHER. 



OUR young hero entered deeply into all the patri- 
otic associations connected with West -foint. 
He remembered it as the spot that the Revolutionary 
traitor to his country, Benedict Arnold, attempted 
basely to betray into the hands of our foreign in- 
vaders. In looking over this remarkable place, he 
mentions, in a letter to his father, some of the im- 
pressions it made on his mind : — 

" I find much here," he wrote, " that makes me love my 
dear native land more than ever. I am happy in the fact 
that this stronghold of nature is safely in the hands of the 
"United States. Do you know, father, that it is called the 
Gibraltar of America? I think that is a very proper 
name for it. The hills are so different from those we have 
in our part of Ohio ! They come down steep to the water's 
edge ; and the points of land shut in so close from one bank 
of the river to the other, that, when you are below, you can 
hardly see the way up ; and, when you are above it is hard 
to see the way down. The cliffs rise one above another 
to towering heights, all scarred with ragged rocks, and 
crowned on their wild summits with lofty trees. It seems 

[43] 



44 THE TANNER-BOY. 

as if the foot of man could never get to the tops, the paths 
are so full of masses of shattered precipices that lie strewn 
about in chaotic confusion. I have found my way to the 
highest peak, however ; and was well repaid for my struggle 
by the view of the noble Hudson beneath my feet, and the 
distant Catskill Mountains above my head. The highlands 
here are splendid to behold ; and the opening prospects of 
the east and west shores of the river, with their shady 
groves, their smiling farms and dotted towns, are beautiful 
indeed. The steamers and vessels are seen busily passing 
to and fro in the majestic stream ; and, close down by the 
shore, the pennon of the railway train is fluttering in the 
breeze. I catch a far-off glimpse of the hills in Con- 
necticut and Massachusetts, resting, like battle-smoked 
war-shields, against the sky. The rich pastures of Orange 
County, New York, skirted with herds of cattle^ spread 
out like a pictured carpet before me ; and over all bend 
the arching heavens, where the rifted clouds march on 
like the squadrons of an army. 

" As I return from my walk, refreshed by the exercise, 
inspirited by the grand and varied scenery, and better pre- 
pared for my studies, I pass by the cemetery of the 
academy, where some of our cherished dead repose. Here 
is the monument erected by our grateful country to the 
bravo hero, Kosciusko, who fell on the field of battle, on 
American soil, fighting for the liberties of mankind. You 
remember, father, the line, that is recorded of him, — 

1 And Freedom shrieked when Kosciusko fell.' 

" I am rendered serious by the impressions that crowd 
upon me here at West Point. My thoughts are frequently 
occupied with the hatred I am made to feel toward traitors 



WRITES TO HIS FATHER. 45 

to my country, as I look around me on the memorials that 
remain of the black-hearted treason of Arnold. I am full 
of a conviction of scorn and contempt, which my young 
and inexperienced pen is unable to write in this letter, 
toward the conduct of any man, who, at any time, could 
strike at the liberties of such a nation as ours. If ever 
men should be found in our Union base enough to make 
the attempt to do this ; if, like Arnold, they should 
secretly seek to sell our national inheritance for the mess 
of pottage of wealth, or power, or section, — West Point 
sternly reminds me what you, my father, would have your 
son do. As I stand here in this national fort, a student of 
arms under our country's flag, I know full well how you 
would have me act in such an emergency. I trust my 
future conduct, in such an hour, would prove worthy the 
patriotic instructions you have given. 

"Yours obediently, 

« "Ulysses Sidney Grant." 

It was in this spirit he grew up a West-Point cadet. 
There were some in the academy who stood before 
him in the routine of studies, some who could repeat 
more of the classics than he could, some who might 
compose more polished essays ; but there was not 
one in all those ranks of the nation's students who 
understood better than he did the whys and the 
wherefores of all important matters of learning and 
discipline. He learned, and, what is even better, he 
retained, all that he needed to know of the substan- 
tial, solid, practical rudiments of a military education. 



46 THE TANNER-BOY. 

His aim was not ornament and parade, but practice 
and success. 

The severe tests put to the mind and body of 
Ulysses were just what he liked. There was no more 
" can't " in his dictionary at West Point than there was 
at the little country school near the tannery in Ohio. 
His progress was steady, persevering, sure. If he 
took a seat nominally below some of the other cadets, 
it was a good one, a safe one ; and he held On to it. 

Would you like to know, boys, what the principal 
studies of Ulysses then were ? The Major has the 
pleasure to inform you. They were, generally, ma- 
thematics, grammar, composition, declamation, the 
Latin and French languages, geography, gunnery, 
engineering, and the use of the rifle and the sabre. 
A part of the time, the cadets are marched off in 
squads, with tents, where they are formed into camps, 
and live on the field. Here he ranked as a battalion 
private. But he who had passed through the priva- 
tions of a tanner-boy on the prairies of the West 
was fully equal to all the duties of the open camp. 
He wrote his father on the subject that he liked this 
active life well : it was freedom ; it was nature ; it 
was the development of his manhood. In the exer- 
cise of the soldier, among the clear breezes of West 
Point, his books and studies became parts of his 
recreations. He learned to do his duty because it 
was commanded in the regulations. The inconve- 
niences incident to the tented field but whetted his 



HOW AND WHAT HE STUDIED. 47 

young appetite for more intellectual pursuits. He 
never regarded that as a drudgery which he performed 
as a duty. 

Ulysses was now in his eighteenth year. He had 
been one year a cadet at West Point, and continued 
to progress steadily. In the spring of 1840, the 
authorities were so pleased with his course that they 
promoted him into the third class. There was no 
outside influence brought to bear to advance him. 
He went forward on his own merits, and these alone. 
This is always the best way, in the end, for every 
young man. It teaches him to depend on himself in 
after-life. If misfortune comes upon him suddenly, 
he is not at a loss what to do, as some boys are who 
have been petted and flattered along all the way. 
When they grow up to be men, unused to trials, they 
are helpless and useless when the winds blow and 
the rains beat upon them'. 

The young cadet now ranked in the battalion as a 
corporal. His studies were proportionately advanced, 
so that he engaged in the higher mathematics ; such 
as geometry, trigonometry, algebra, and conic sec- 
tions. These brought his best powers into play, as 
they will bring those of every student. He added to 
them other parts of the French language, drawing 
plans of engines, machinery, ordnance, and fortifica- 
tions, and a regular practice for nearly six months in 
the special duties of a cavalry soldier. This was to 
render him complete in horsemanship. As it was at 



48 THE TANNER-BOY. 

the beginning, so it was now : he held on to all he 
gained, and advanced surely. 

The time soon came for him to enter the second 
class. He was immediately promoted to the rank of 
sergeant. The same quiet, unassuming youth that 
he was when he came from the old tannery, he grap- 
pled with bravery and energy with his increased round 
of studies. Natural and experimental philosophy, 
and chemistry, were added ; while his practice in the 
use of the sword and the saddle was unremitting- 
ly continued. He went out again and again into 
camp, learning each time some new feature of tent- 
life, the location of troops, the construction of em- 
bankments, the management of artillery and infantry. 
His teachers respected him for his assiduity in learn- 
ing, and his companions loved him for his unre- 
strained and friendly manners. 

In the year 1842, Cadet Grant was set down a 
member of the graduating class. His proficiency as 
a student and soldier had been all that was expected. 
His conduct, in the academy and out of it, was 
honorable and blameless. His father and mother, 
who had watched his progress at the academy with 
all the deep interest of faithful parents, had frequent- 
ly written him, giving him that good advice they were 
so competent to bestow. How often that well-beloved 
mother bent her knee in secret prayer to Heaven 
for her absent boy, is known to the great Searcher 
of all hearts. How often Ulysses felt in spirit the 



s 
HOW AND WHAT HE STUDIED. 49 

touch of her gentle hand on his brow, and heard her 
sweet whispers of counsel in the secret chambers of 
his young soul, the results of his future career can 
alone unfold. His home, by the blessing of God, 
had made him what he was. As he started right 
from under the parental roof, so he was now. His 
position was that of a commissioned officer of cadets. 
He was authorized by the Government of the United 
States of America to command a company of sol- 
diers. Behold the tanner-boy at the head of a troop 
of disciplined, educated cadets, in the uniform of his 
native country ! What a step for the humble little 
lad from the Ohio log-cabin ! The time for his grad- 
uation soon rolled around. On the thirtieth day of 
June, 1843, in the midst of the smiles of Nature, as 
they enamelled the banks of the Hudson, and scat- 
tered pearls of light on the waters of the river, he was 
assigned exactly the middle position in a class of about 
forty members. This position was precisely charac- 
teristic of the powers of his mind. He was not what 
might be called brilliant, or dashing, or enthusiastic, 
to reach far ahead of all the rest. Neither did he 
take one step from the centre to the rear with the lag- 
gard, the indifferent, or the dull. His acquirements 
were solid, not showy ; and he therefore knew he 
could depend upon them. He did not strain every 
nerve, to the injury of his health, and by the hired 
help of others, to make a display at graduating ; and 
then, as some have done, fall back, forgetting much 

5 



50 THE TANNER-BOY. 

they have learned, for the merely idle purpose of 
temporary display. What he learned was for life, 
with a firm purpose to apply his knowledge, not only 
to his own future advancement, but to the honor of 
the land that had conferred on him the great blessing 
of a good education. 

Ulysses had gone on improving this year in several 
additional studies. Civil and military engineering 
were coupled with ethics, and constitutional, interna- 
tional, and military law. In horsemanship he had 
practised with rigid skill, determined that he would 
be (as he is now) one of the best riders in the ser- 
vice of his country. Mineralogy, geology, the Span- 
ish language, and all the higher branches of a first- 
class military education, taxed the powers of our 
young hero. He passed the ordeal well, and came 
out with credit. 

His position as a cadet in command was one that 
tried his nature. It is a position calculated to draw 
out all the strong and all the weak points of a young 
man. If he is what he should be, the place will 
reflect credit upon him ; if not, it will cover him with 
disgrace. If he is proud, insolent, overbearing in 
authority, he will secure no better service from his 
command, but be sure to awaken in them feelings of 
dislike, sullenness, and secret contempt. Nothing 
of the kind will more certainly produce moroseness 
and disobedience among men than petty despotism on 
the part of their officers. The moment they feel that 



DISCIPLINE. 51 

a superior is a spy upon them, — one whose love of 
command is paramount over every thing else, — that 
moment all real respect for him ceases among his 
associates, and he has come to he obeyed, not by a 
lofty patriotism but by a species of brutal compul- 
sion. In his early management of soldiers young 
Grant proved his superiority. His authority was 
that of true nobleness : it was genial, while it was 
firm ; it was considerate, while it was exacting. It 
was, therefore, the authority that was always obeyed ; 
and, when possessed of appropriate power, well-nigh 
omnipotent. 

In military affairs, especially in time of war and 
in the heat of battle, man is a human engine of de- 
fence and destruction. He is a man-machine, moved 
by the motive power of an intensified central spirit. 
It is mind condensed into matter in armor; the 
soul solidified in the soldier ; thought hardened into 
steel, sharpened into bayonets and sabres, cast into 
cannon, set on fire with powder, and heated with 
red-hot shot. Rightly directed, who or what can 
withstand such a force as this? Yet that force, di- 
rected wrongly, becomes a planet rushing madly from 
its orbit without a purpose ; a meteor exploding in 
darkness only to light up the way to its own tomb. 

Cadet Grant learned to command as he should. 
In camp, on duty, passing inspection and review, he 
expected and received the respect due to his position ; 
but when out of camp, mingling with his fellow- 



52 THE TASTNER-BOY. 

cadets in familiar intercourse, there was nothing in 
him of what true military men call the mere martinet, 
the peacock of the service, the tyrannical disciplina- 
rian without sympathy, the drill automaton with no 
heart. The classmates of Grant, in the classes of 
cadets below him in point of time of admission to 
the academy as well as those who were his immediate 
associates, all respected and loved him alike. This 
was the secret of his popularity in his youth ; and it 
is the secret of the national halo that clusters around 
his name to-day, as Lieutenant-General of the Army 
of the United States. 



CHAPTER VII. 

TANNING AN INSULT. 

AMONG the characteristics of young Grant *at 
West Point, we have seen that he possessed 
the rare quality of being sociable on the one hand, 
and of commanding respect on the other. This valu- 
able trait of character, so particularly desirable in 
public officials, was practically illustrated by him on 
several occasions. He displayed it at one time in a 
manner that enforced his courage in a striking light. 

The incident took place on this wise : — 

Coming into the academy as the son of a plain 
Western tanner and farmer, he was, as all new ar- 
rivals are, at first subject to the innuendoes and jokes 
of the older students. One of this class was dis- 
posed to allude sneeringly to his having worked in a 
tannery. 

* " Sir ! " cried Ulysses, straightening his manly 
little form to his utmost height, " am I to understand 
your remark as intended for an insult ? " 

"Why, no, Grant : it was a thoughtless thing to 
say, and I regret it." 

" Oh ! very well," added our hero : K I accept the 
apology. But let me tell you, for your information 

[53] 



54 THE TANNER-BOY. 

as well as that of others here, that I consider the 
calling of a tanner as honorable as any other in 
the world, and I shall defend it. I had made up my 
mind, if occasion required it, to prove to those who 
insulted me on account of my business, that I had 
learned it well, and I should thoroughly tan their 
hides on the spot ! " 

He heard no more in that line about the tannery. 

His first position, as we have shown, was that of 
private in the battalion of cadets. 'As a novitiate, 
he must pass the usual ordeals. One day, when the 
company was enjoying a sham review, he was con- 
tinually harassed with practical jokes. Stepping 
quickly in front of the parade, and tossing his cadet 
uniform to a comrade, he cried out, with keen, pier- 
cing tones, — 

"No more of this, gentlemen ! " 

" Why ! what's the matter ? " they all stammered 
out, taken by surprise. 

" I say, no more of this ! Captain ! if you don't 
know your duty better than to violate good discipline 
in this manner, lay aside your assumed position for 
a few moments, and I will teach it to you ! " 

The captain dropped his rank, and, stepping up 
to Grant, was soon laid sprawling, and soundly pun- 
ished on the parade-ground. 

" Now," said Grant, quietly turning to the next 
in command, "as you have shared in this fun, lieu- 
tenant, it is your duty to defend our captain ! " 




CADET (J RANT. 



COMPANY GEANT. 55 

The two were soon engaged, and the lieutenant 
shared the fate of the commander. 

Grant now. squared himself before the front ; and 
glancing his flashing eye along the line, raising his 
voice still higher, he exclaimed, — 

"You now understand, gentlemen, what's the 
matter. This is what's the matter, gentlemen : I 
am for the protection of my rights ; and I will pro- 
tect them, if I have to grapple with every member 
of this company ! " 

There was a shout along the whole line, — 

"Bravo!" " Well done, Grant!" "Bravo!" 
" Three cheers for Ohio pluck ! " rang out from scores 
of youthful voices. 

" There, Grant, you've fairly won the day against 
all odds ! " chimed in the captain, extending a fraternal 
hand. 

" Yes, indeed you have," added the lieutenant, 
following suit. "We sha'n't poke fun at you any 
more ! " 

"No, that we sha'n't!" exclaimed others of his 
comrades, now in the best of spirits. 

Grant stooped down calmly' and put on his coat, 
as if nothing unusual had happened ; but he was 
never annoyed after that with any of their cadet fun 
at his expense. He was ever after called, as a brevet 
to his proof of bravery, " Company Grant." He is 
thus known to this day by many in the army. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

HIS COMPANIONS. 

THERE is an old and true saying, that r a man 
is known by the company he keeps.' This is 
as applicable to boys and girls as it is to grown-up 
people. If you see a boy love to keep company 
with those who lie and steal, who swear and drink, 
and do other bad things, you may be sure he does 
so because he likes it. 

" On the other hand," says the boys' friend, Major 
Penniman, "if you see a boy love to be with kind 
playmates and good people ; if you see him, my 
young readers, always trying to keep company with 
those who do not take in vain the name of the God 
who made them ; who remember the sabbath day to 
keep it holy ; who honor father and mother as young 
Ulysses Grant honored his, — then you may be sure 
they love things that are right, and they will go on 
doing such things as long as they live. They will 
be happy themselves, even in the midst of the trials 
of life ; and they will try to make others happy 
around them. When such boys grow up to be men, 
they will be honored and respected ; when they are 
[56] 



HIS COMPANIONS. 57 

called to die, as all of us must be, it will be said of 
them," concludes the Major, "in the words of Holy- 
Writ, 'Mark the perfect man, and behold the up- 
right; for the end of that man is peace.'" 

"Now, boys," asks the Major, "who of you 
would not like to have this said of him ? Who had 
not rather be beloved of God and man and die 
happy, than to live a wicked life and die a miserable 
death?" 

But we will go on with the Major's story about 
Ulysses. The company of West-Point Academy 
is peculiar in this respect : it is not always that 
of your own choosing. There the cadets are drawn 
together from various parts of the United States. 
Some of them are brought up at home better than 
others. Therefore, when a young man is enrolled 
among them to remain as one of their number, he 
is, as it were, compelled to keep the company of 
those who are not as good as they should be. Some 
of these were brought up in indolence. Some had 
bad examples set them by their parents and other 
relatives. Others had been accustomed to depend 
on the labors of unpaid people, who are wickedly 
held in slavery. These youth are almost always 
inclined to be idle and insolent, and indulge in all 
the petty tyrannies in their power. One of this 
overbearing class, once a cadet at West Point, is 
now the chief traitor at the head of the barbarous 
and cruel treason that set itself in arms, three 



58 THE TANNER-BOY. 

years ago, against the just and lawful authority of 
the United States. When this lad found himself 
at the academy, although he was supported by the 
people and government of the whole country he 
meanly affected to despise a large portion of his bene- 
factors. And what added to this dishonorable course 
a deeper shade of darkness was the fact that he was 
guilty of borrowing money from one of the young 
fellow-cadets he pretended was beneath him, — money 
that has been due more than thirty years, and is not 
paid yet ! What do you think of that, boys ? Did 
you ever hear of any thing of the kind more insuffer- 
ably mean and dishonest? That is what Cadet 
Jefferson Davis did. You may be sure that Cadet 
Ulysses Grant would not do any such thing. 

Of the thirty-eight cadets who left West Point 
with Ulysses, all who were worthy to keep such 
company as his have stood with him by the colors of 
our country. Among these are Generals Franklin, 
Quimby, Peck, Keynolds, Hardie, Augur, Ingalls, 
Steele, and Judah. Others, who might be named, 
have proved base recreants in the hour of the nation's 
trial ; and they must stand, henceforth, inscribed 
on the dishonored roll of traitors. 

Where stands the tanner-boy? How bright his 
name shines in contrast with those who have blackened 
and dimmed theirs by the foul atrocities of treason, 
— treason against the best government ever ordained 
of God, or formed by the hand of man ! Among 



HIS COMPANIONS. 59 

his loyal compeers he shows the same modest, unas- 
suming manner that he did when a boy and cadet. 
He passed beyond his seniors in grade by the force 
of the circumstances that controlled him ; but there 
is no assumption of superiority, no looking-down on 
his associates as inferiors, no domineering over those 
he has been called to command. It was stubborn, 
determined, persevering will that made him success- 
ful at the start ; it was the full cultivation of all his 
powers, in spite of every difficulty thrown in his 
way, that prepared him to grapple with disappoint- 
ments, to expect and to be prepared for them when 
they came ; to mount upon obstacles as the very 
stepping-stones by which he would reach success. 
To call up new energies, to strengthen pertinacity, to 
push forward through increasing perils, in short, to 
know no such word as "fail," and to prove that 
" can't " is not in the dictionary, — this it is, with the 
favor of approving Heaven, that has made the tanner- 
boy what he is to-day. 

Let every other boy who reads his life profit by 
his example. 



C/£> 






a 



. 



CHAPTER IX. 



HIS FIKST CAMPAIGN. 



OUR young friends have most if not all of them 
heard of the war between the republic of Mexico 
and the United States of America. It was begun in 
the year 1844, to resist an armed claim set up by 
Mexico to a part of the territory of Texas lying with- 
in our lines, and to recover certain debts owed by 
Mexicans to American merchants which they refused 
to pay. Some influential parties in the Southern 
portion of our country had encouraged the declaration 
of this war, and had joined with others to vote for it 
through Congress the necessary men and supplies to 
carry it on, for the purpose of acquiring more land 
on which to employ slaves, and thereby enrich those 
who pretended to own them. You must, however, 
bear this in mind, boys, that no man ever had any 
right to own another man. We do not even own 
ourselves : we all belong to God. How, then, if we 
do not own ourselves, can we own other people ? It 
would be just as fair for other people to own us as it 
would be for us to own them. 

God, says the Major, never made a slave. He 

[60] 



FIEST CAMPAIGN. 61 

once allowed men to hold slaves, many years a^o, 
in the darker ages of the world ; but he told them 
he only allowed it because their own hearts were so 
hard they would do it. As soon as they had shown 
how far they would go in this great wickedness, he 
commanded them everywhere to repent, to break 
every yoke, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let 
the oppressed go free. When they refused to do this, 
he punished them for many years ; and then sent his 
only Son, the blessed Savior of the world, to tell 
them and all mankind to do unto others as they 
would that others should do unto them. If this divine 
precept of the great Eedeemer were to be everywhere 
carried out, there would be no such thing as slavery, 
or any other sin, all over the world. 

Now, so far as this war with Mexico was designed 
by wicked men to extend and perpetuate the dreadful 
curse of slavery, it was a cruel wrong. But there 
were some who believed that even if the territory con- 
quered from Mexico should be used, at first, for keep- 
ing more men longer in bondage, in the end it would 
all become a free country. Of this number Ulysses 
Grant was one. 

Immediately after graduating from West Point, on 
the 1st of July, 1843, he was honored with a com- 
mission in the regular army of the United States as a 
brevet second lieutenant of infantry. This word 
" brevet," as before partly explained, means an hono- 
rary position in the army above the actual rank and 



62 THE TAI^ER-BOY. 

pay of the officer holding it. Thus a major, by brevet 
or honorary distinction, serves as captain, and receives 
pay as such. Commissions of this kind were given 
in honor to the officers of the American army who 
did such good service to our country during the Eevo- 
lutionary War. They were brevetted for their bravery 
to grades of rank above those they held in the army. 
So young Grant, who had been serving as a cadet 
sergeant, was called, by brevet, or honor, a second 
lieutenant. With this rank he joined the Fourth 
Eegiment of the Regular Infantry, and was stationed 
on the western borders of the Territory of Missouri. 
He engaged in this service in pursuance of his oath, 
taken on entering the academy at West Point, to 
serve the United states, in the national army, for the 
period of eight years from the time he received his 
warrant as a cadet. A " warrant," you must learn 
from the Major, is different from a " commission " in 
this respect. A commission in the army or navy is 
an authority committed to an officer which empowers 
him to act, in a degree, independently. A warrant 
is a document, without the distinctive seals of a com- 
mission attached to it, given to officers below the rank 
of captain or lieutenant. The exchange of a warrant, 
therefore, for a commission, was an honor to our 
cadet, and at once inspired him with new hopes of 
other and higher promotions in his country's service. 
He entered at once on his duties as lieutenant, and 
passed immediately to the frontiers. The Indians of 



FIRST CAMPAIGN. G3 

that region were then quite troublesome to the set- 
tlers ; and the protection of the territory from their 
savage incursions was a work of responsibility and 
danger. Grant engaged in it with all his character- 
istic zeal, and devotion to duty. The country was 
wild and romantic. Broad prairies, rolling like 
great round billows of the sea turned suddenly into 
earth and covered with turf, opened out before him, 
in wide contrast with the more limited area of the 
farms of Ohio, and more especially of the romantic 
though narrow defiles of West Point. In the sum- 
mer of his arrival the wild flowers were scattered, 
like autumn leaves, all over the ground, — the blue- 
bell, the harebell, the violet and the rose. Their 
fragrance at times, after a passing shower was over, 
filled all the air on every side. In some places the 
prairie was spread out like an ocean of space. Not a 
mound nor a hill nor a shrub nor a stone appeared 
in view. All was as level and smooth as the floor 
of a room, save the gentle wave -like undulation 
over his head. The clouds sailed along like ships 
on an unbounded sea, with no mountain or tree 
or spire in the distance to break the even surface 
of the circle of blue. Standing in the midst of the 
prairie the cadet-guard could feel how small a thing 
man is, as he looked up into the fathomless expanse 
of the sky, and over the unbroken area of earth, 
that, for sixty miles, swept its circuit around him. 
His companions, beside his little command and the 



64 THE TANNER-BOY. 

scattered tribes of Indians', were the buffaloes, the 
deer, the wild turkeys, and prairie hens and ducks, 
that found a rich harvest always sowed for them by 
the kind Father in heaven, who opens his hand and 
supplies the wants of every living thing. 

This was not a spot in which Ulysses could be 
idle ; for, indeed, he could not be idle anywhere. 
He began immediately to assist the settlers as they 
moved in ; helping them, as a volunteer, to raise 
their houses of logs, lay out their roads, build their 
rail fences, plough and sow their fields, and thus to 
open and protect the progress of civilization. It was 
in this way he showed the practical points of his cha- 
racter to good effect, — that as he had been at home 
and at the academy, so he was now, and would always 
be, — for use rather than for show, for the substance 
and not the shadow. His course here on the Western 
prairies will show our boy-friends how much good 
they may accomplish in connection with their regular 
duties, if they but set about it as Ulysses did, — with 
a will. 

In the course of the ensuing year (1845) he was 
transferred, with the regiment to which he was then 
attached, into Texas. It was at Corpus Christi, in 
that territory, soon after his arrival, that his full com- 
mission as second lieutenant reached him. By this 
document he was transferred from the Fourth to 
the Seventh Regiment of Regular Infantry, and 
placed in the Texan Army of Occupation under the 



FIKST CAMPAIGN. 65 

brave old General Zachary Taylor. It was deter- 
mined with this force to occupy Texas, and to main- 
tain it as a possession rightfully belonging to the 
United States. The port of Corpus Christi is situ- 
ated on the Texan shore of the river that separates a 
part of Texas from Mexico. The Americans at once 
took possession of and held it, for what is called, in 
military language, a base of operations, — a place 
from which they might send out their troops, and learn 
the condition of the Mexicans in that vicinity. 

We must now begin to -follow the path of Lieu- 
tenant Grant into new and untried fields. We shall 
see, as we progress, that his traits of character remain 
the same ; for such was the attachment awakened by 
him among his immediate comrades, and so great was 
the confidence in him, that at their request, in only a 
few weeks after he had been ordered to the Seventh 
Eegiment, he was honored by authority from the 
War Department at Washington with being replaced 
as full second lieutenant in his old Fourth Eegiment. 

The troops of Mexico and of the United States 
now joined battle in Texas. 



CHAPTER X. 

HIS CAMPAIGN CONTINUES. 

THE first battle-ground to which Lieut. Grant 
marched was for the relief of a besieged gar- 
rison. It was at Fort Brown, on the Texan side 
of the river known as the Rio Grande. The Mexi- 
cans had crossed the stream near this point with a 
large force, for the purpose of capturing the fort, and 
then driving the Americans from the territory. With 
the promptness and decision which always character- 
ized all the movements of that great American sol- 
dier, General Taylor moved forward to the fort. The 
garrison was already engaged, defending itself against 
the superior forces of the enemy, when Taylor marched 
to the spot. Young Grant, with his regiment, was 
soon on the field. It was the field of Palo Alto, 
fought on the 8th of May, 1846. The coolness, 
steadiness, and self-possession of his earlier youth, 
which had been rendered more perfect by a right 
application of the discipline of West Point, were now 
found to be of practical service to his country and 
himself. The few orders that it devolved on him to 
give were given in a few words, spoken in a low, 
[6G] 



CAMPAIGN CONTINUES. 67 

collected tone. His manner, in the midst of danger 
for the first time, clearly proved that he understood 
perfectly well what he was about. His comrades all 
united to testify to his bravery and skill. The Fourth 
Kegiment won new honors on the occasion. Several 
brevets were appropriately conferred on senior offi- 
cers. The modest young lieutenant was noticed in 
a becoming manner at headquarters. It was his first 
fight, — his first public impulse to duty in the field. 

On the next day, as Taylor pressed on in his steady 
march to the beleaguered fort, occurred the battle of 
Eesaca de la Palma. This was a still harder fought 
one than that of Palo Alto. The Fourth Eegiment 
was again distinguished. Lieut. Grant was repeat- 
edly noticed for his deeds of gallantry. He was a 
true soldier. All saw and admitted that. Calm, 
quiet, retiring, his position as a junior officer was 
made at once on the field of battle. 

Driving the defeated Mexicans before it the army 
of Taylor moved on. Fort Brown was at once re- 
lieved. Its guns were speedily turned by the victors 
on the scattering enemy, who were driven in disorder 
across the Kio Grande, back again into Mexico. 
The advance of the army up the river speedily re- 
leased the country of Texas from the thraldom of 
Mexican jurisdiction. Our young lieutenant partici- 
pated in every march, and shared in every conflict ; 
entering the territory of Mexico, with the victorious 
Taylor, on the navigable waters at New Leon. From 



68 THE TANNER-BOY. 

this point lie passed with his regiment to Monterey, 
where the enemy occupied a strongly fortified posi- 
tion. Here Grant had his first opportunity of learn- 
ing; in battle the nature of intrenchments, the best 
manner of approaching them, and the means most 
likely to dislodge an enemy. His instructions at 
West Point flashed upon him in a moment, and he 
profited at once by what he had learned. His own 
part in the brilliant engagement of Taylor with the 
batteries on that occasion was quite humble, as 
became his position of lieutenant ; but he made his 
own observations, and possessed his practical mind 
of both the strong and weak points of the situation. 
When the time came for driving the enemy from the 
intrenchments Grant was there, at his post, and 
shared in the triumph of the scene. 

At this point in the history of the Mexican cam- 
paign new features were developed. It was now 
in the fall of the year 1846, and General Scott was 
about leading the whole American force as com- 
mander-in-chief. A regular declaration of war had 
been made by the Congress of the United States. In 
a short time, Vera Cruz, the strongest port in Mexico 
on the sea-coast, was in our possession. It was 
decided that the movement on the city of Mexico, the 
capital of the nation, by what was called the northern 
route, on which General Taylor had been pursuing 
his victorious march, should be abandoned, and the 
approach be made by the way of Vera Cruz. Portions 



SCENES IN MEXICO. 69 

of the troops of Taylor were taken from him, carried 
down the Rio Grande to the Gulf of Mexico, and 
joined to those of Scott. The Fourth Regiment 
of Infantry was of this force ; and, of course, Lieut. 
Grant accompanied them to the new theatre of 
war. 

In the ensuing month of April he went forward 
with Scott's wing of the army. Unusual prepara- 
tions, requiring much tact, energy and skill, were 
demanded in the various departments to secure the 
safe and speedy transit through a strange territory 
of so large a body of men, with their provisions, 
horses, artillery, siege-trains and other munitions of 
war. Grant was seen at once to be peculiarly fitted 
for this responsible position ; and he was therefore 
appointed regimental quartermaster. He remained 
at this post on the staff during all the residue of the 
campaign in Mexico. 

Entering on the march from Vera Cruz, toward 
the interior the novelty of the country instructed and 
pleased his active mind. With his usual industry 
and tact he found time to write an occasional letter 
home. In one of these, he thus discourses : — 

In Camp, ex route to Mexico, 
May 10, 1847. 

My dear Parents, — We are progressing steadily to- 
ward the Mexican capital. Since I last wrote you my 
position has been rendered more responsible and laborious. 
You may learn the progress of the old Fourth by the pa- 



70 THE TANNER-BOY. 

pers; and I do not mean you shall ever hear of my shirking 
my duty in battle. My new post of quartermaster is con- 
sidered to afford an officer an opportunity to be relieved 
from fighting ; but I do not and cannot see it in that 
light. You have always taught me that the post of danger 
is the post of duty. That is* the way Warren looked at 
it, you remember, when he asked Gen. Putnam where he 
would send him, in the battle of Bunker Hill. " I shall 
send you, Mr. President," replied Putnam (for you recol- 
lect that Warren was the President of the Continental Con- 
gress at that time), " to a place of safety." — " No, General," 
said Warren quickly : " send me where the fight may be the 
hottest ; for there I can do the most good to my country." 

So I feel in my position as quartermaster. I do not in- 
tend it shall keep me from fighting for our dear old flag, 
when the hour of battle comes. 

But I must not talk all the time about war. I shall try 
to give you a few descriptions of what I see in this coun- 
try. It has in it many wonderful things, you are aware, so 
different from Ohio, West Point, and the Indian territories 
of Missouri. 

Mexico is in many parts very mountainous. Its hill- 
sides are crowned with tall palms, whose waving leaves at 
a height of fifty or sixty feet from the ground present a 
splendid appearance. They toss to and fro in the winds 
like plumes in a helmet ; their deep green glistening in the 
sunshine, or glittering in the moonbeams, in the most beau- 
tiful manner. The table-land is high and pleasant, inter- 
spersed with many verdant valleys. Some of the mountains, 
near the coast of the Pacific Ocean, are very lofty, and vol- 
canic in their character. One of these, on the extreme 
northern border, is over ten thousand feet high above the 



SCENES IN MEXICO. 71 

plain ; and the plain is supposed to be eight thousand feet 
above the level of the sea. 

The more central part of the country, through which we 
are passing, does not have so many high .mountains ; but it 
is very much broken, and some of the cliffs are very steep, 
and the gorges below very deep. As we pass along from 
the seaboard to the interior we cannot but be struck with 
the influence produced on the atmosphere by this mountain 
air. Mexico, you recollect, is located in the torrid zone, 
where the weather is supposed to be always warm ; but 
here we find it temperate and healthy to a remarkable 
degree. The soil abounds with grain, such as wheat and 
maize, and vegetables, sugar-cane, roots, and fruits of vari- 
ous kinds. With proper cultivation, cotton can be pro- 
duced in large quantities. The number of plants that 
yield balsams, gums, resins, and oils, is very great. Below 
the surface of the earth are to be found gold, silver, cop- 
per, lead, iron, tin, zinc, sulphur, alum, vitriol, cinnibar, 
ochre, quicksilver, and other mineral productions. In some 
places are to be found diamonds, amethysts, cornelians, and 
other precious stones. There are in the hills, sometimes, 
great masses of loadstones, as large as the largest houses ; 
and quarries of jasper, porphyry, and most beautiful green 
and golden marble. The manufactures are earthen and 
stone ware, glass, spirits, sugars, tissues of cotton, paper, 
woollen and silk fabrics. Very large supplies of medical 
minerals and herbs are constantly produced from the in- 
terior. # 

All kinds of horned cattle abound in these parts of 
Mexico. They range over the immense plains in droves, 
occasionally numbering forty thousand. Their meat is not 
always the most desirable ; but their hides are sent in great 



72 THE TANNER-BOY. 

quantities to England, France, and the United States. 
Over ten millions of hides of cattle, and skins of smaller ani- 
mals, are at times sent away from Mexico in a single year. 

I have been much delighted with the Mexican birds. 
They are found here in immense numbers. There are 
over two hundred different kinds peculiar to the country. 
Many of these have a plumage that is superlatively 
splendid; but the display of their music does not equal 
that of their colors. The singing of the Mexican birds, as 
a general thing, is not as clear nor as strong nor as varied 
as that of the birds of the United States. They beat ours 
in show ; but they do not equal them in harmony. 

The city of Mexico, to which we are now marching, and 
which we expect to possess in a few weeks, is, as you 
know, one of the most beautifully located in the world. 
It was originally built with great care. The streets are 
wide ; and as the cooling winds come down from the neigh- 
boring mountains, sweeping over fields of clover, groves of 
magnolias, orchards of oranges, and gardens of flowers, 
they fill the air with a delightful and healthful fragrance. 
The city is built at right angles, with perfect regularity. 
In this respect it will compare favorably with any other 
capital or metropolis in either of the four quarters of the 
earth. 

But I hear the taps as I write, and must be on the 
move. I have written this letter with my sword fastened 
on my side, and my pistols within reach ; not knowing but 
that the next moment I may be called into 'battle again. 

With remembrance to all our friends, I remain, 
Dear parents, your son, 

U. S. Grant. 

Mr. Jesse R. Grant, Georgetown, Brown County, 0. 



CHAPTER XI. 

TAKES PART IN BATTLES. 

aUARTERMASTER GRANT was now mov- 
ing forward with the main army under Gen. 
Scott. He discharged his duties faithfully in the 
quartermaster's department, but determined to lose 
no opportunity on that account to share in the con- 
flicts of his comrades. 

The battle of Molino del Rey, one of the most 
sanguinary of the war, was fought on the ensuing 
8th of September, 1847. Leaving his disposition of 
quarters in good hands, he stepped quietly into the 
fight, and at once took an active part. His courage 
and tact were so conspicuous on this occasion that 
he was appointed a first lieutenant of infantry, on the 
field. The Congress of the United States proposed 
to confirm this as a brevet appointment ; but Grant 
modestly declined, saying thaWie preferred to reach 
the post by regular gradations of service. 

Five days later, — Sept. 13, 1847, — followed the 
sanguinary engagement of Chepultepec. Grant was 
again in the field, more active than ever. His gal- 
lantry was so marked as to attract attention on 

every side. 

7 [73] 



74 THE TANNEK-BOY. 

" Did you see young Grant ? " inquired one officer 
of another the next morning after the battle. 

" Yes : I saw he was in the right spot just in the 
nick of time," replied his associate. 

" How was it ? " asked another, who had been in 
a different part of the field. 

" Why," added the first speaker, his eye lighting 
up as he spoke, " it was a splendid thing in Grant. 
I had just succeeded in reaching the fort with a mere 
handful of men. We were all tired out climbing 
up the steep bank, and our ammunition was nearly 
exhausted. Grant dashed in with a squad of brave 
fellows from his Fourth Infantry. We joined our 
forces together, and divided ammunition. We then 
pushed forward in the face of a furious fire, carried 
the strong field-work of the enemy, and completely 
turned his right." 

" I saw Lieut. Grant at the first barrier," said a 
soldier of the gallant Fourth to a comrade, as they 
rested together in victory under the shade of a chap- 
arral. " The enemy was in strong force, and stood 
his ground well. We had to be very cautious how 
we came up under hi^ raking fire ; for, you see, he 
enfiladed us the whole length of the line. So up we 
went slowly, creeping along, until the head of the 
battalion was within short musket-range of the bar- 
rier. At this point, Lieut. Grant came up hand- 
somely, pushed forward with our men, and drove in 
the enemy's flank." 



TAKES PART IN BATTLES. 75 

"I knew the command the moment it came up," 
added the fellow-soldier. "The rear of the enemy 
had made a good stand, the breastwork was strong, 
and the conflict was a sharp one. One of our howit- 
zers was mounted on the top of a convent* near by, 
and Lieut. Grant helped to manage it. His aim 
was splendid, and every shot told. I never saw 
nobler conduct in any battle." 

This spontaneous testimony of his comrades was 
well attested by his superiors. The brave hero, 
Gen. Worth, mentions him with credit in his report 
of the battle of Chepultepec ; and other officers do 
the same in theirs. The bravery of Grant was so 
distinguished on this occasion that he was singled 
out for honorable mention. But one other officer 
was thus noticed out of his whole brigade in the field. 

This meritorious conduct at once secured him the 
rank of brevet captain in the regular army. His 
commission dated from Sept. 13, 1847, — the day 
of the Chepultepec battle. Congress confirmed this 
brevet at the subsequent session of 1849 ; and 
it so stands on the official records of the War 
Department at Washington. While holding this 
brevet rank of captain he was duly promoted to a 
first lieutenancy in the old Fourth Regiment of Re- 
gular Infantry ; a confirmation of his good conduct 
in the service. 

Cadets Augur and Judah, now generals in the 
United-States Army, fellow-students of Grant at 



76 THE TANNER-BOY. 

West Point, were in Mexico, and shared with him 
the dangers and honors of several battles. But 
whatever may be the distinctions these and others 
of his associates have reached, or may yet reach, his 
own career is sufficiently marked to render it one 
full of instruction, especially to the young. He 
went to Mexico an unknown officer in a large regi- 
ment of regular troops. He had no outside influences 
of wealth and power to bring in his favor : neither 
the commander-in-chief, Gen. Scott, nor the sec- 
ond in command, Gen. Taylor, knew him by per- 
son from any other second lieutenant in the army. 
The reason that he succeeded, therefore, was, not 
that others helped, but because the true elements of 
success were in him. He was obedient to his parents, 
when a boy : therefore he profited by then good ad- 
vice. He was industrious : therefore he made con- 
stant progress with his studies. He was honorable 
and courteous : therefore his comrades among the 
cadets gave him their respect and esteem. He was 
practical : therefore he took hold of all kinds of 
useful work, and was ready to help the hardy pioneers 
of the wilderness. He was courageous : therefore 
he was found in the front of the battle, doing his 
whole duty like a man. 

Where is the boy who will not go and do like- 
wise? 



CHAPTER XH. 

AT THE SURRENDER OF MEXICO. 

HAYING taken part in nearly all the battles that 
preceded the surrender of the city of Mexico, 
Lieut. Grant had the happiness to participate in that 
occasion. The surrender took place on the fourteenth 
of September, 1847. Grant was present, with the 
Fourth Regiment of Infantry, within the gates, and 
saw the American flag hoisted* in triumph on the 
national palace. It was a proud hour to him, as it 
was to every American ; for the events connected with 
it had proved the power of the % United States as it 
had never been proved before. The claim of this 
nation to the territory in Texas was settled ; and, to 
pay the expenses of the war, Mexico ceded all the 
country known as California and New Mexico to the 
American Union. 

The volunteer troops of the United-States Army 
were now disbanded, and returned to their several 
homes. The portion of the regular army that had 
been employed in Mexico was ordered back in a body 
to different military posts. The regiment to which 
Grant belonged was landed in the city of New York, 

[77] 



78 ' THE TANNER-BOY. 

and received handsome attentions from the citizens. 
But little did they think, as the young lieutenant 
stepped on shore at the Battery and quietly reported 
himself for duty, as ordered by his superior officer, 
to the United - States commandant on Governor's 
Island, in the harbor, that he would, in a few years, 
pass through their great city in the possession of the 
highest military honors in the power of his grateful 
country to bestow upon him. 

His position as Brevet Capt. Grant was now fixed 
in the service. The Fourth was broken up into com- 
panies, and ordered to detached service. He was 
again sent to the frontiers ; but, this time, it was to 
the North instead of the South. His station was in 
command of his confpany in the northern part of the 
State of New York. As he passed up the Hudson 
River, and came in sight of the lofty promontories of 
West Point and vicinity, what a rush of feelings swept 
the heart of Capt. Grant ! From that dear spot of 
study and discipline he had gone forth to the wilds of 
the West, among Indian marauders, to the everglades 
and swamps of Texas, and to the plains and moun- 
tains of Mexico, in the service of his native land. 
How kindly had the great Father in heaven led him 
along, preserved his life from danger, and brought 
him back to the haunts of other days ! The young 
captain lifted his thoughts in gratitude to the Su- 
preme Being, and passed on to his new post of 
duty. His parents soon heard of his return, and 



STATIONED AT THE WEST. 79 

gladly welcomed him with their letters ; while he 
promptly acknowledged their affectionate remem- 
brance. 

The stay in the New- York Department was but of 
short duration. Grant was ordered to rejoin his regi- 
ment, which was then sent to the Department of the 
Pacific. Here was an entirely new field. A battal- 
ion of the regiment, with Grant attached, was for- 
warded up the coast, and stationed in Oregon. 

The country of Oregon borders on the Pacific 
Ocean, west of the Rocky Mountains. Like all the 
region around it is mountainous, but abounds in fer- 
tile valleys, and has three distinct divisions of soil, 
productions and climate. At the time Capt. Grant 
reached it, the territory was much molested by hostile 
Indians. Some of the white people, in turn, had 
become lawless ; having rushed in with a thirst for 
gold from nearly all quarters of the world. This 
class needed as much restraint from the strong arm 
of military law as the Indians did. 

The nature of the Oregon country was, in some 
respects, well suited to the inquiring and expanding 
mind of the young captain. He saw at a glance that 
he was again at the outposts of civilization , and that 
there was much patriotic work for him to do. His 
headquarters were at Fort Dallas, and the ordinary 
duties of the garrison were comparatively circum- 
scribed. But without, and beyond, the waves of pop- 
ulation were rolling in. The country was being settled 



80 THE TANNER-BOY. 

under a republican form of government ; and he held 
it in trust as of the first importance that it should be 
settled right. There was an area around him of two 
hundred and ten thousand square miles, and millions 
of inhabitants could find good homes in the territory. 
The division called the Cascade Range he saw to be 
genial in its climate throughout the year. The valley 
of the Willamette, in this region, is exceedingly fer- 
tile. The intervals and prairies are the best of land, 
abounding in rich pasturage, with valuable timber. 
The division between the Cascade Range and the Blue 
Mountains is generally a light soil, interspersed with 
some beautiful vales. The west of it is a fine grazing 
region. The remaining division lies between the 
Rocky Mountains and Blue Mountains, and is nearly 
all rocky and rough, with some valleys of great fer- 
tility. Gold is found in the southern portion of the 
territory. Live stock, wheat, wool, Indian corn, 
butter, and vegetables, are abundant ; and the streams 
swarm with fish, and the woods with game. The 
principal articles of export are lumber and agricul- 
tural produce. It was in this region, in the year 
1808, that the first trading post was planted on the 
banks of the Lewis River. After this, in 1810, 
the Pacific Fur Company, under the great American 
merchant, John Jacob Astor, of New York, was 
formed. In 1811, this company founded the colony 
of " Astoria," at the mouth of the Columbia River. 
The colony was called after Mr. Astor, and .the river 



ENTERS CIVIL LIFE. 81 

after the ship c Columbia,'' of Boston ; in which vessel 
Capt. Robert Gray discovered it, in the year 1792, 
and opened it to commerce and civilization. 

This was the broad area to which our Capt. Grant 
was now sent in command of a United States fort. 
While there on duty he received his full promotion to 
the rank of captain of infantry. His commission 
bore date from August, 1853. The Government 
permanently attached him to the Department of the 
West ; and there was every prospect that he wouM 
remain in this portion of the service. Young as he 
was his influence for good was felt all among the 
natives and settlers who came within the sphere of 
the fort. The prayers of his good Christian mother 
followed him from the shores of the Atlantic to those 
of the Pacific. The faithful counsels of his father 
continued to be pressed upon him in letters from 
home. His example for temperance, modest and 
consistent deportment, was a credit to the service of 
the United States. 

But the active mind of Grant could not be satisfied 
with the mere routine of military life in time of 
peace. He entered the army for work, not for rest ; 
to serve his country, when attacked; not to be support- 
ed in comparative idleness. Anticipating, from the 
prospects opening to the nation, that there was a 
long-continued period of inactivity before him as an 
army officer, in the year 1854 he tendered his resig- 
nation. 



82 THE TANNER-BOY. 

We now behold him in an entirely new field. How 
will he succeed? We shall see. It was the right 
use of his military talents that made the tanner-boy 
a Lieutenant-General of the United-States Army. 
But he was as well adapted for success in civil life. 
Having been brought up to work he turned to it natu- 
rally, as every boy who has been educated right will 
do when he becomes a man. 

Capt. Grant (for he still retained his title by cour- 
tesy) was now about thirty years of age. He had 
served his country faithfully, as a cadet and soldier, 
nearly fifteen years. Having married Miss Dent, of 
St. Louis, a lady of sterling sense and elegant man- 
ners, he settled near that city, in the State of 
Missouri, and devoted himself to the independent 
business of farming. 



"Who's that coining down the street there, with 
that load of wood for sale ? " inquired a gentleman of 
one of his neighbors in one of the streets of Caronde- 
let, Mo. 

"Ask him, and he will tell you," was the ready 
but courteous reply. 

The woodman, meanwhile, was steadily approach- 
ing where the two neighbors were standing. 

" May I inquire of you how far you have brought 
your wood ? " said the first speaker to the farmer. 

" Certainly you may ask me, sir ; and I will tell 



BECOMES A FARMER. 83 

you with pleasure. I brought the load from a few 
miles to the south-west of St. Louis." 

"Did you cut it yourself?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"What is your price?" 

" I ask only the market-price, — four dollars a 
cord." 

" I will take it. You may drive your load to my 
cellar-door, and dump it there." 

No sooner said than done. 

The purchaser walked along by the side of the 
team. The driver was dressed in a blue blowze ; his 
pants were crowded in at the top of his strong boots ; 
and his head was surmounted with a plain felt-hat, 
suited to his work. He looked, as he was, an honest, 
industrious American farmer, earning his living by 
the sweat of his brow. 

As the gentleman buying the load of wood handed 
the farmer his money (having previously noticed 
something in his manner that struck him) , he politely 
inquired, — 

"I am about to enter my purchase, and may 
want more wood ; will you be kind enough to give 
me your name ? " 

"My name is Grant, sir, — U. S. Grant." 

" Are you from Ohio ? " 

"Yes, sir : I was born in Clermont County, about 
twenty-five miles above Cincinnati." 

" I thought so. It struck me I knew you, when I 



84 THE TANNER-BOY. 

first saw you up the street. Your father is Jesse R. 
Grant, the tanner, of Brown County?" 

"Yes, sir; the same." 

" Captain Grant, allow me to take your hand. 
Some of us have heard of you in Texas and 
Mexico. Your coming here, sir, is a pleasure to 
us." 

These kind expressions of the people were often 
repeated, as Farmer Grant carried his wood and other 
produce of his industry to market. 

His home here, as it always had been everywhere, 
was a place of study as well as toil. The library of 
his neat little dwelling was not numerous ; but it con- 
tained all the really valuable books suitable to his 
position. Prominent among them might be seen the 
Holy Bible, and by the side of that was the Constitu- 
tion of the United States. Next in order was a 
History of America, and next to that the Life of 
George Washington. He was partial, also, to the 
Memoirs of La Fayette, Barons de Kalb and Steu- 
ben, and the brave Kosciusko, whose monument he 
loved so well to visit when a cadet at West Point. 
In military works, those of a strictly scientific 
character were his choice. Mingled with these, 
his modest shelves were well filled with select 
miscellaneous books, clearly indicating the bent of 
his mind as a sturdy, thoughtful, well-informed Ame- 
rican citizen. 

His neighbors, reposing confidence in his strict in- 



A COLLECTOR FOR THE PEOPLE. 85 

tegrity and sedate habits, selected him to transact 
their business for them in the way of collecting their* 
dues. 

It was now winter. The snow lay thick, at times, 
on the frozen ground. 

" You will oblige me by collecting this bill for me 
to-day," said one of his nearest townsmen to- him 
early one morning. 

" Are you ready ? " 

" Yes, sir," he replied : " I am ready, if it's all 
right." 

" What do you mean by all right ? You don't in- 
tend to imply, I presume, that I would hand you an 
unjust bill to collect?" 

"Not at all, sir," responded our new civil officer. 
"I meant nothing of the kind." 

"What then?" 

"Why, sir, the winter is upon us, and the weather 
is bitter cold." 

"True, Capt. Grant. I admit that, sir. But 
you've been in the army several years ; you've seen 
some hard service < I hope you don't mean to shrink 
back on account of the weather ? " 

"By no means, sir!" quickly responded Grant, 
raising his voice a little. "You entirely misunder- 
stand me, sir. I am not in the habit of shirking 
any duty, however irksome. What I mean is this, 
sir. The present is a time of suffering among the 
poor, from various causes, which some of them cannot 



86 THE TANNER-BOY. 

help. May I ask you if these persons who owe you 
this bill are sober, industrious people, who are doing 
the best they can ? " 

n Why — yes — I believe they are." 

"Do you learn that they are in distress for 
money ? " 

" Yes, sir : I understand they are rather hard up." 

K And is that the reason you want me to press them 
to pay your bill ? " 

"Yes, captain; that is my object in coming to 

you." 

" Then, sir, allow me to say, with all due respect, 
that you may collect your bill yourself; for I can't 
do it." 

The neighbor folded #p his bill, and put it away 
in his pocket. He looked at Capt. Grant, then at 
the snow-covered earth, and went home feeling better 
than he did toward the poor. 

It must not be understood from this incident that 
Farmer Grant was utterly indifferent to the honest 
acquisition of money. He put a right estimate on 
money as one of the means of promoting usefulness 
and happiness in human society. But he did not fall 
down to it, nor worship it, nor exalt those who had 
it merely because they had it, nor despise those who 
had it not. He set a good example of industry by 
being always at work at something honorable. There 
was not an idle bone in his body. His personal 
habits were simple, frugal, economical. When he 



BEFRIENDS THE POOR. 87 

contracted debts, he made every effort in bis power to 
pay them ; and always repaid, as promptly as possi- 
ble, every dollar of borrowed money. Temperate, 
indefatigable, persevering, he was ever ready, while 
he worked hard for himself and family, to share his 
wood and other products of his little farm with the 
worthy poor. 

Noble Ulysses ! he had not lived in vain as the 
tanner-boy. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

CONTINUES IN CIVIL LITE. 

THE resignation by Capt. Grant of his former 
position in the regular army was the result 
of a conscientious conviction of duty. He had been 
faithfully serving his country for more than two years, 
four hundred miles in the deep forests of Oregon, 
away from his family. Returning to his home, 
honorably discharged, his occupation as a farmer was 
continued in the county of St. Louis, Mo., until 
in the year 1859, he entered into business with his" 
father. They opened a leather and saddlery store 
in the town of Galena, Illinois, under the firm of Jesse 
R. Grant and Son. 

Galena is a flourishing town, situated on the river 
Fever. The site is nearly six miles above the point 
where the Fever forms a junction with the Mis- 
sissippi. Like other places in that region it is built 
on a high bluff, with the ' streets running parallel 
with the river, and laid out in the form of parapets, 
one above another. Passages are opened from 
street to street by means of flights of steps. It 
is an important town, having the great American 
[88J 



AT GALENA. 89 

lead-mines in its vicinity. Being located on the 
Chicago and Galena Railway, not far from Spring- 
field, the capital of the State of Illinois, and having 
a navigable river at its base, where the largest West- 
ern steamboats come and go at all seasons of the 
year, it possesses many points of commercial impor- 
tance. It may well be called the lead metropolis of 
America. Steamboats, rail-cars and stages centre 
around it in abundance, keeping up constant inter- 
course with Chicago, Springfield, Cincinnati, Louis- 
ville, St. Louis and New Orleans. Some idea of 
the trade of Galena may be formed from the fact 
that more than fifty millions of pounds of lead were 
sent from the city recently during a single year. 
The value of this article, even at former prices, or 
before the Slaveholders' Rebellion broke out in 1861, 
was over two millions of dollars per annum. At 
least three thousand persons have been steadily em- 
ployed at the mines. Different kinds of ores of zinc 
and copper, with their sulphurs and carbons, are 
very productive in the vicinity of Galena. Zinc is 
lying on the surface in thousands of tons ; and, as 
fast as coal can be procured, the ore is smelted, and 
brought to market. Sheets of sulphate of iron, 
ranging as deep as six feet under the earth, are found 
in large extent, and are being turned to profitable 
account. 

It was in the midst of this rich country that young 
Capt. Grant now made his home. Here he learned 

8 



90 THE TAXNER-BOY. 

more and more, by a practical business experience, 
the vast value of the Union that binds the loyal 
American States together. He saw the mountains, 
rivers and plains all united together in the common 
bond of creation. He traced the navigable waters 
of the great river of the West from near his own door 
to the delta of the Gulf of Mexico ; and he said to 
himself " This country is all one ; and, by the help 
of God, it shall be kept one for ever." 

Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, 
are all connected in trade with Galena. The interests 
of freedom are identified with its prosperity. Hence, 
when Capt. Grant went into business at such an 
important point, he comprehended at once the whole 
scope of the position. He entered into trade and 
commerce with the same devotion that he had shown 
in his boyhood to his early pursuits at his books, at 
drills at West Point and in the battle-fields of Texas 
and Mexico. As it had always been with him, as 
whatever he undertook he engaged in with all his 
heart, so it was now in the leather store. He per- 
fectly mastered the arts, mysteries, and routine of 
the traffic. Nothing was left half done. There was 
no such word as " can't " in his business dictionary. 
It was a sufficient guaranty for a hide or skin of 
leather that the dealer could say — "It comes from the 
store of Grant and Son, Galena." 

In such active scenes as these, the patriotic con- 
victions of his mind grew deeper and stronger every 



NO POLITICIAN. 91 

day. He rose above the turmoil of party politics. 
All attempts to enlist him in petty political squabbles 
always failed. He loved all parts of his country 
alike ; for he had faithfully served it all in the dangers 
and privations of war. The North and the South, 
the East and the West, were equally dear to his heart ; 
and he felt ready, at any moment, to peril his life 
again on their united behalf. 

" Good-morning, sir ! " said one of his neighbors, 
a talkative politician, who had dropped in at the 
store. "Have you heard the news?" 

"What news?" 

" Why, the news of the election down in Egypt ? " 

"No, sir; I have not heard it: and, to tell you 
the truth, I don't care to hear it." 

" But you have your opinion about such matters." 

"Yes, sir; I have a firm conviction with regard 
to our national affairs : above every thing else, I 
agree with Washington and Jackson, that our Union 
should be preserved. But, sir, as to mere party 
politics, I don't know any thing about them ; and, 
what is more, I don't want to. I am not in the habit 
of associating with mere politicians, and I am rather 
inclined to think I never shall be. Those who con- 
sult my wishes will never broach party politics to 
me. Excuse me, sir ; but there is one subject on 
which I feel perfectly at home. Talk to me about 
that, my friend, and I shall be happy to hear you." 

"What is that, captain?" 



92 THE TANNER-BOY. 

" Tanning leather ! " 

This characteristic reply is now a matter of history. 
It shows he was not above his business ; that he was 
not ashamed of it ; that he was still the tanner-boy, 
and no mere party politician. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

PUTS ON HIS ARMOR AGAIN. 

" "ITYTELL, father ! the traitors have fired on old 
* I Sumter ! " cried Capt. Grant, as he entered 
the store in Galena on the morning of the 15 th of 
April, 1861. 

"What! fired on the American flag?" 

" Yes ! A body of seven thousand rebels have 
attacked Major Anderson in the fort, set the barracks 
on fire, and driven our brave boys out ! " 

" Did Anderson give up the colors ? " 

"No, sir: he has carried them with him, and 
brought them off in triumph ! God bless him ! " 

"This is startling news, my son. What shall we 
do to restore the flag?" 

"I tell you what I shall do, sir! I shall volun- 
teer ! " 

" Good ! I like your pluck. I would do the same, 
if I were not too old. But what will your wife say 
to it?" 

" My family, father, are in the hands of my God 
and my country. I believe that both God and coun- 
try are calling me to volunteer ; and I am not afraid 
to leave my family in such good hands." 

[931 



94 THE TANNER-BOY. 

In a few moments more our hero was across the 
threshold of his house. 

" Wife, what do you say ? I am going again to 
•war ! " 

There was an answering look that met his at that 
moment. It was more tender than that of the father 
in the store. Its brief glance told a sweet story of 
home joys. The witnessing tears that gushed silently 
to the eyelashes, and trembled a moment there ere 
they were dashed gently away, spoke louder than the 
father's words had spoken. But a moment more, 
and the firm consent followed. It was such a consent 
as a hero's wife loves to give a hero. In yet another 
moment the mother steps quietly forward. 

" Go, Ulysses ! go, my dear son ! And may the 
blessing of Jehovah of hosts go with you ! " 

" I knew you would all consent," said the captain, 
as he glanced his eye quickly and firmly to where 
some portions of his former armor were suspended ; 
" for, if ever there was a just cause for fighting, it is 
this in which I now volunteer." 

Brief, though tender and loving, were the parting 
words. In a few hours more Capt. Grant was on 
his way to the capital and governor of the State. 

"Governor Yates," said he, the moment he came 
into the executive council-chamber, " will you accept 
my services as a volunteer from Illinois ? " 

"Most gladly I will, Capt. Grant," replied the 
governor ; " and will immediately appoint you on my 



VOLUNTEERS FOR THE UNION. 95 

staff, with the position of mustering-officer of volun- 
teers for the State." 

" I desire more active service, governor, if I can 
obtain it. I am anxious to go forward as soon as 
possible to the front." 

" President Lincoln has called for seventy thousand 
volunteers, and his own State of Illinois must furnish 
her full quota. You will be much needed, Capt. 
Grant, in the work of gathering and preparing the 
men." 

"All right, governor; all right, sir. But allow 
me to say I went to West Point and served my 
country as a cadet, to learn to fight men in the field, 
rather than to recruit them at home." 

" Very true, captain ; but your experience in Mex- 
ico will be of great service in preparing our officers 
and men at home. When the time comes, at the 
first moment, you shall have a regiment, and go for- 
ward." 

"Thank you, governor. That offer is more than I 
expected. You give me more than I deserve. But 
I have always felt, sir, that the cadets of West Point 
owe every thing they are or may be to our country. 
Our first duty is to her. All that we have of educa- 
tion, skill, discipline, and experience, should be laid 
at once on her altar, especially at a time when the 
very existence of our national fabric is assailed by 
treason." 

"You shall have the appointment of colonel, sir," 



96 THE TANNER-BOY. 

concluded the governor ; and Capt. Grant went in- 
stantly to work. 

His substantial military education and competent 
business habits were now turned to good account. 
The whole of the great State of Illinois had to be 
canvassed for men. It embraces an area of nearly 
sixty thousand square miles, — almost as large as all 
England and Wales. There are one hundred coun- 
ties, containing several large towns, and a population 
of nineteen hundred thousand. Thanks to the justice, 
wisdom, and patriotism of the fathers, there are no 
slaves in the State. To this fact, under the approving 
smiles of Heaven, may be attributed its astonishing 
growth in comparison with the neighboring slave 
States. Those free, independent yeomen, therefore, 
rallied at the call of their governor ; and Grant soon 
found himself surrounded by a busy multitude, eager 
for the defence of the insulted banner of the Repub- 
lic. His exertions in obtaining volunteers were 
crowned with complete success. The quota of Illi- 
nois was more than filled at the appointed time, and 
at once set in the field. His work well done, Grant 
waited not long for the redemption of the promise of 
the governor. His commission soon came as colonel 
of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Infantry. It 
was dated in June, — the Bunker-Hill month, — 1861, 
and found him all ready to enter instantly on his 
arduous duties. Without a moment's delay he left 
the capital of the State, and placed himself at the head 



AITOINTED COLONEL. 97 

of his regiment. Their equipment and drill he super- 
intended in person, entering into the feelings of his 
men with the minuteness and patience of detail that 
we have seen distinguish his character. 

It was not long before he was ordered to active 
duty in Missouri. That State was then" a part of the 
seat of war. He was called to guard the Hannibal 
and Hudson Railway, — an important branch of travel 
and transportation running across the northern part 
of the State, from the Mississippi to the town of St. 
Joseph, near the Kansas border, and connecting, 
through the main lines, the East and West. This 
was a very responsible post, especially in that gueril- 
la portion of the country. In a short time he was 
called to garrison the post of Pilot Knob, still nearer 
the point of hostilities. The erection of fortifications 
here afforded Col. Grant an opportunity to apply his 
powers in his usual thorough manner. From thence 
he marched to Ironton, in the same State ; and still 
further forward, to Marble Creek, where another fort 
was thrown up by his regiment. 

On the 23d of August, while busily engaged with 
his active duties in the field, our colonel was raised 
to the rank of brigadier-general of volunteers ; his 
commission dating from May 17, 1861. At the 
commencement of the year 1864, his name stands in 
the list of the generals appointed on the same day 
with him, just where it stands in the list of his fellow- 
graduates at West Point, — right in the centre. Ilia 



98 THE TANNER-BOY. 

promotion was perfectly in accordance with liis mer- 
its. No outside or political influence was brought to 
bear in his favor. He had done his duty faithfully. 
His knowledge of his business, the result of hard 
study, was superior. His personal manners were 
agreeable, and his habits were good. Hence his 
promotion, — more rapid and eminent for distin- 
guished services than that of any general of our 
day. 

His transfer to the great central point of Cairo 
followed his appointment as brigadier-general. This 
town, like the magnificent city in Egypt from which 
it derives its name, is situated in the midst of a well- 
watered country, and commands the resources of an 
immense and very fruitful agricultural district. The 
post commanded by Gen. Grant included within its 
military jurisdiction the Missouri shore of the Mis- 
sissippi Eiver, from Cape Girardeau to New Madrid. 
The State of Kentucky, at that time, as a border 
slave State, was supposed to occupy a neutral posi- 
tion. Of this fact the leaders of the Rebellion took 
every advantage in then power. They stationed their 
forces close by the Kentucky border* so that they 
could cross over at a moment's warning, and, by 
secret strategy, gain occasional successes. Grant 
immediately perceived this operation, and proceeded 
to check it. His post commanded the mouth of the 
river Ohio, and was the key to the Upper Mississippi 
and Upper* Missouri. He determined that Cairo, 



CAIRO CAMPAIGN. 99 

thus situated, should not be merely a base for army 
supplies, but the theatre of active operations upon 
the enemy. He knew that he could hold it against 
all comers as a defensive military position of the 
greatest possible value. He immediately seized the 
town of Paducah, a strong post on the Tennessee 
River, in Kentucky. The act showed his strategy ; 
for he at once commanded by it large portions of 
interior navigable waters which the traitors had sur- 
reptitiously possessed, and through which they were 
forcing all the supplies they could obtain. While 
his headquarters were still retained at Cairo, he forti- 
fied himself at all the adjacent strong points. The 
possession of Smithland, at the mouth of the river 
Cumberland, soon after followed ; and thus the De- 
partment of South-eastern Missouri was enlarged 
and enriched as a base of future operations. 

But his command at Cairo and his consequent 
control over an extended and wealthy region did not 
inflate Gen. Grant. The spirit that ruled so well the 
tanner-boy now ruled the general. When he came 
to enter Paducah the flags of the Rebellion were 
flying from many parts of the town. Only a short 
distance off was a large body of well-armed rebel 
troops, ready, it was reported, to turn back on the 
entering Union soldiers at a given signal. The loyal 
inhabitants joined together to welcome us ; but there 
was a strong body of rebel sympathizers waiting for 
the moment to come when they could begin their 



100 THE TANNER-BOY. 

outrages. It was a critical emergency for Gen. 
Grant, and well did he prove himself equal to it. 
As soon as he took possession of all the strong points 
of the town, — the telegraph-office, the railway-station, 
the hospitals, hotels, and warehouses, — he displayed 
his moderation and caution in a plain, straightforward 
address, in which he said to the inhabitants : — 

" I am come among you, not as an enemy, but as your 
fellow- American ; not to maltreat and annoy you, but to 
respect and enforce the rights of all loyal citizens. I am 
here to defend you against the common enemy, who has 
planted his guns on your soil, and fired upon you ; and to 
assist the authority and sovereignty of your Government. 
I have nothing to do with opinions, and shall deal only with 
armed rebellion and its aiders and abettors. You can 
pursue your usual avocations without fear. The strong 
arm of the Government is here to protect its friends, and 
punish its enemies. Whenever it is manifest that you are 
able to defend yourselves, maintain the authority of the 
Government, and protect the rights of loyal citizens, I shall 
withdraw the forces under my command. 

% "U. S. Grant, 

"Brig.- Gen. Commanding. ' ' 

How happily does this military document show the 
soldierly spirit of Grant ! He was in the midst of 
enemies, with an ample force at his command ; in the 
presence of an excited mob, who were heaping curses 
and insults on the flag of our country ; yet so perfect 
was his self-possession, so calm was the temper to 



NO GEW-GAWS. 101 

which discipline had enabled him to reach, that he 
put forth no exercise of power beyond the ordinary 
police regulations of the town. Our worst revilers 
were compelled to admit his noble magnanimity and 
strict sense of justice. 

The camp at Cairo was now established. Like 
that at West Point it was on the bluff of a river, 
although much more extensive. In his demeanor he 
was the same here that we saw him to be when a 
cadet. 

" Who is that plain-looking officer ? " inquired one 
visitor of another, as they passed through the fort. 

" That officer with the slouehed hat and open coat, 
that look as if they were just ready to fall off? " re- 
sponded his friend. 

" Yes ; that's the one. I reckon he is in the habit 
of thinking of something else beside dress." 

" That's so ; and something much more important." 

" Why, look at some of the other officers ! They 
seem as if they had just come out of a lady's band- 
box and a barber's chair. See their bright buttons ! 
their glistening shoulder-straps ! their sashes crossed 
and recrossed, with the long tassels hanging down ! " 

"Ay, look at that elegant little army-regulation 
cap, so jauntily set on one side of the head to show 
off the curling ringlets, so well polished with oil, and 
so sweetly scented with perfume ! " 

" What a contrast between these officers and the 
one I inquired about ! Who did you say he was ? " 



102 THE TANNER-BOY. 

" That, sir, is Gen. Grant, every inch a soldier and 
a gentleman." 

"I notice him now. I see his eye and step. I 
have ' no doubt you have characterized him cor- 
rectly." 

And so he had. 



CHAPTER XV. 

TESTIMONY TO HIS ASSOCIATES. 

ONE of the noblest traits in the character of 
Grant is the candor and merit with which he 
speaks of his associates in command and service. 
At the battles which followed the capture of Paducah, 
he was surrounded by many new and untried men. 
Some of them had never seen a battle ; yet their 
behavior was such that he bore the most ample testi- 
mony to their valor, endurance, and skill. 

The course of Grant in this respect is precisely 
like that of old Rough and Ready. He was ever in- 
clined to pay full tributes to the meritorious conduct 
of all around him in action, not only regulars but 
volunteers. The courage of men on the field was 
the test with Grant, — not their show on parade. 

Speaking of those who took part with him in a 
successful and daring expedition, he says, — 

" The men all showed great courage. I can say with 
much gratification that every colonel, without a single 
exception, set an example to the command that inspired 
a confidence which will always insure victory when there 
is the slightest possibility of gaining one. I feel truly 
proud to command such men. 

[103] 



104 THE TANNER-BOY. 

" We fought our way from tree to tree, through the 
woods, to Belmont, about two and a half miles ; the enemy 
contesting every foot of ground. Here he had strengthened 
his position by felling the trees for two or three hundred 
yards, and sharpening their limbs, making a kind of abattis. 
Our men charged through, making the victory complete ; 
giving us possession of their camp and garrison equipage, 
artillery, and every thing else on the ground." 

To show the quick perception that dictated this 
well -deserved praise, he adds, in a public de- 
spatch : — 

" It has been the fortune of the commanding general 
to take part in all the battles fought in Mexico by Gens. 
Scott and Taylor, save Buena Vista ; and he never saw 
one more hotly contested, or where troops behaved with 
more gallantry. 

" Such courage will insure a victory wherever our flag 
may be borne and protected by such a class of men. 

" To the brave men who fell, the sympathy of the coun- 
try is due, and will be manifested in a manner unmistaka- 
ble." 

It was in this battle, the first of the kind in which 
he took personal lead of his troops as brigadier- 
general, that he rushed into the hottest of the en- 
gagement. The heavy shots of the enemy, from 
their large guns at Columbus, crashed through our 
ranks, mowing down the men like grass before the 
scythe. Grant was in every part of the field, cheer- 



ENLARGED DEPARTMENT. 105 

ino- and urging on his troops. His horse was shot 
under him; but he mounted again at once, and 
pressed forward in the fight. His gallant presence 
and bearing inspired all hearts. 

But the caution of his character appears immedi- 
ately in connection with the results at Belmont. In 
speaking of the position, he says, — 

" Belmont is entirely covered by the batteries from 
Columbus. It is worth nothing as a military position, and 
cannot be held without Columbus." 

Subsequent events proved the sagacity of the 
man, and established the scientific correctness of 
his views. 

It is no wonder that Gen. Grant is so popular 
with his officers and men, when such is the spirit lie 
displays toward them. Neither is it surprising that 
his countrymen so generally are ready to repose 
confidence in him, when they see his courage so com- 
bined with practical caution. 

We are now entering with Grant on a department 
materially enlarged. He is placed in command of 
one of the largest military divisions of the United 
States. The district of Cairo included all the south- 
ern part of Illinois, that portion of Kentucky west 
of the Cumberland Biver, and the southern counties 
of Missouri below Cape Girardeau. The entire 
army posted on the banks of tjie Ohio, both sides, 



106 THE TANNER-BOY. 

east of Caledonia and to the mouth of the Cumber- 
land, came under the command of Grant. 

With his usual energy and tact he began imme- 
diately to re-organize his troops under his own per- 
sonal inspection. He held all his army well in hand, 
as Ins purpose always is, when about to strike a de- 
cisive blow. His distribution of his forces was such 
that it was next to impossible for the enemy to ascer- 
tain his real strength. The skill and strategy of Grant 
are well illustrated by this fact in his history. We 
are to judge him, not by what he says he is going to 
do, nor by what he seems to be doing, but by what he 
does. His departure from Cairo, therefore, on the 
10th of January, 1862, was quietly done. He blew 
ho trumpets before him, and left no bulletins to be 
published behind him. Five different columns of 
troops, all arranged by his word, left their places 
at a given signal on the south shore of the beauti- 
ful Ohio, and marched without show or parade into 
the interior of that part of Kentucky lying between 
the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers. The expedi- 
tion was designed to ascertain the exact location and 
feel the strength of the enemy ; and in these important 
results it was one of the most successful campaigns 
of the war. 

The course of the commanding general with regard 
to picket-shooting, one of the abuses of warfare, 
especially in woodland countries, is set forth in a de- 
spatch issued by him from his headquarters at Cairo, 
dated Jan. 11, 1862*: — 



STRICT REGULATIONS. 107 

" I understand that four of our pickets were shot this 
morning. If this is so (and the appearances indicate that 
the assassins were citizens, not regularly organized in the 
rebel army), the whole country should be cleared out for 
six miles around, and word given that all citizens making 
their appearance within those limits are liable to be shot. 

" Send out patrols in all directions, and bring into camp 
all citizens, together with their subsistence, and require 
them to remain, under penalty of death and destruction 
of their property, until properly relieved. 

" Let no harm befall these people, if they quietly sub- 
mit ; but bring them in, and place them in camp, below the 
breastwork^ and have them properly guarded. 

"U. S. Grant, 

" Brigadier -General Commanding." 

This plan to keep away spies was most happily 
conceived, in view of the secret nature of his expedi- 
tion. His course in this respect may well be put on 
record for the guidance of all in similar command. 
It is easy to see how certain disasters would have 
been avoided, had equal caution and tact prevailed on 
all occasions. 

The high moral character of the motives control- 
ling Grant is apparent in one of the orders he issued 
in connection with this expedition. One of these 
orders contains the following explicit and manly 
language : — 

" Disgrace having been brought on our brave fellows 
by the bad conduct of some of their members showing on 



108 THE TANNER-BOY. 

all occasions, when marching through territory occupied by 
sympathizers with the enemy, a total disregard of the 
rights of citizens,, and being guilty of wanton destruction 
of private property, the general commanding desires and 
intends to enforce a change in this respect. 

" The interpreting of confiscation-acts by troops them- 
selves has a demoralizing effect : it weakens them in exact 
proportion to the demoralization, and makes open and 
armed enemies of many, who, from opposite treatment, 
would become friends, or, at most, non-combatants. 

" It is ordered, therefore, that the severest punishment 
be inflicted on every soldier who is guilty of taking or 
destroying private property ; and any commissioned officer 
guilty of like conduct or of countenancing it shall be 
deprived of his sword, and expelled from the camp, not to 
be permitted to return. " U. S. Grant, 

" Brigadier -General Commanding." 

How high-minded and honorable is this conduct 
of Grant ! With what lustre it shines on the pages 
of history ! His respect for the rights of private 
property, even among the persons and estates of the 
people where the Kebellion prevailed, was thus dictat- 
ed by a sense of justice and mercy which a conquer- 
ing army was constrained to obey. Nor can we 
overlook the impartiality he shows between his 
officers and men, holding out the same motives to 
good conduct and the same 'measure of punishment 
equally to all. Surely he had profited, when a boy, 
by the" noble lessons of integrity taught him at the 
fireside. 



^ PRIVATIONS. 109 

With his usual determination to overcome difficul- 
ties, he started one part of his expedition on the 14th 
of January, 1862, when the Mississippi was full of 
floating ice. At the same time another part of the 
column made such demonstrations as completely 
deceived the rebels and threw them off their guard. 
Meanwhile he came up in force from Paducah, in 
just the spot where and at just the time when the 
enemy did not expect him. Instead of following 
the road they looked for him to take he turned in a 
different direction entirely, and thus completely led 
them astray. During the intervals of the marches 
the infantry of the principal body of the force trav- 
elled over severity-five miles in six days, and the 
cavalry over one hundred and forty miles, along icy 
and miry roads, through an enemy's country, and at 
the most inclement season of the year. The most 
of his troops had never before seen such service. 
They were nearly all citizen volunteers, who, like 
their commanding general, had left the sweet endear- 
ments of home at their country's call. They endured 
these privations not from compulsion, not because 
tyrants compelled them, not on account of wages 
or pensions, but solely because they honored in their 
hearts the glorious flag of our fathers, and were ready 
and willing to suffer in its defence. 

Noble men ! Your country will remember you. 

The patriotic object of this strategy of Grant was 
all accomplished. By his rapid and secret marches 



110 THE TANNER-BOY. g| 

he uncovered the positions of the rebels in some of 
their strongholds, showed the extent of their force 
in that part of the South-west, and discovered a 
number of valuable side-roads not at that time laid 
down in any of our maps. It was an admirable 
feint, and displayed the military tact of the general 
to the greatest advantage. 

The ablest commanders of men are always the 
most courteous toward enemies. The truly great 
man can always afford to be magnanimous. Such 
were the convictions and such the conduct of Grant 
in connection with the battle of Fort Henry, Tenn. 
That splendid victory was won on the 8th of Feb- 
ruary, 1862. Grant had moved up to the rear 
of the fort ; while the fleet of gunboats, under the 
command of that brave, manly, Christian naval offi- 
cer, Eear- Admiral Foote, attacked the rebels from 
the river, in front. Finding their retreat cut off by 
Grant they hauled down the secession flag and sur- 
rendered the fort and garrison to our victorious arms. 
Now came the hour for courtesy to our foes ; and 
most freely did both Grant and Foote dispense it. 

In a communication to one of his subordinates 
made by the rebel general Tighlman dated at Fort 
Henry the day after the surrender, that officer 
says, — 

"Through the courtesy of Brig.-Gen. U. S. Grant, I 
am permitted to communicate with you in relation to the 
result of the action of yesterday. I take great pleasure in 



FORT DONELSON. Ill 

acknowledging the courtesies and consideration shown by 
Brig.-Gen. Grant and Com. Foote, and the officers under 
their command." 

This testimony to his magnanimity in the flush of 
victory, coming from an enemy who has just surren- 
dered, is of the highest value. It presents the true 
character of Grant to the world, and shows it to be 
well worthy of imitation by all classes, — especially 
by the young. 

' But the reduction and occupation of Fort Henry, 
important as the object was, had formed only a part 
of the plan of Grant. Under the impulse of his 
energy and perseverance he was to push forward to 
other conquests. He began moving his forces imme- 
diately overland to attack Fort Donelson, — another 
rebel stronghold, on the river Cumberland. Intelli- 
gence had reached him that the naval vessels had been 
repulsed from the fort ; and he at once formed his 
plan to invest the enemy from the rear. Only six 
days after the fall of Fort Henry by rapid marches 
across the country carrying with him his necessary 
siege trains, he had organized his new expedition, and 
in one day reached Fort Donelson and proceeded to 
invest it. Tins work was more extensive than Fort 
Henry. It commanded a wider extent of country ; 
and its reduction was, therefore, an enterprise of 
more importance. Grant arrived just at the right 
moment. 



112 THE TANNER-BOY. 

The battle of Fort Donelson commenced on the 
13th of February, 1862 ; and continued without in- 
termission during the 14th and 15th, — three days 
and three nights of fighting. Early in the morning 
of Feb. 12th, the first division had left Fort Henry 
for Fort Donelson ; and so rapid was their march, 
that, by noon of the same day, they had reached 
the outposts and driven in the pickets of the enemy. 
The distance thus marched that day by this brave 
body of American troops was fifteen miles. From 
that hour the battle had gone on with great activi- 
ty. By his skill and persevering courage Gen. 
Grant had completely commanded all the prominent 
positions of the rebels, so that, on the night of 
the 15th, he was prepared to make a direct attack. 
The men were led by our hero in person. They had 
moved rapidly to all the high grounds around the 
fort, and held them firmly against all the attacks of 
the enemy. Their drill and discipline under their 
practised commander were shown in their dashing 
forward to these strong points, under fire, through 
every thing that could oppose them in the way of 
bushes, briers, stumps, fences and streams. 

The moment for the general attack had now ar- 
rived. The co-operation of the gunboats from the river 
being secured, Grant advanced gallantly to the front. 
The whole scene was now full of excitement. The 
Union troops, nearly all of them undisciplined men, 
had been exposed to the severest kind of hardships. 



"your order, general?" 113 

The coldest and most trying weather known in the 
latitude of Tennessee had burst upon them, and they 
without shelter from the storms ; yet, when the dark 
and tempestuous 15th of February came, every man- 
was ready and eager to renew the assault on the^ 
works of the enemy. In several places along the 
whole line the rebels had made furious onslaughts ; 
but the foresight of Grant saw success in the future 
and his courage rose with the emergency of the hour. 

He was at his headquarters. The reports from the 
different officers on active duty came pouring in. His 
quick eye ran them all over in an instant. 

" May I ask if you have any immediate orders ? " 
inquired a waiting associate. 

"Adjutant," replied the general, "it is all right. 
Every inch of the rebel works is invested on this side !" 

" How about the river ? " 

" I cannot answer for the point in the rear close to 
the bank. The gunboats must look out for that. But 
as for our side of the hill — good ! we have the enemy 
here exactly where we want him ! " 

"Your order, then, general?" 

"Take this message to Gen. Smith, — to make a 
strong assault on the left of the enemy's line. He 
must carry that point, no matter what it costs ! The 
right is provided for. I will take care of the front ! " 

The emphasis of this last declaration was unusual ; 

but the tone of voice was low, and the manner cool 

and calm. 

10 



114 THE TANNEK-BOY. 

The ordered advance simultaneously followed. 
The main column of attack charged up to and over 
the enemy's works without firing a gun, carrying 
every thing before them with the fury of their assault. 
The ramparts were mounted with loud huzzas, and 
in a few moments they were honored with the 
national colors. Cheer after cheer of victory rang 
along the Union lines as height after height was thus 
carried by storm ; and the eventful day closed with 
the prospect of our soon entering and taking full pos- 
session of the whole fort. 

That night our brave soldiers slept on their arms 
in the captured ramparts. As the morning sun arose 
and threw its wintry rays over the scene a white, flag 
waved from the main position of the enemy's works. 
It was a flag of truce, — a token of capitulation. 

A letter was soon received at Grant's headquarters 
from the rebel general requesting an armistice, and 
proposing the appointment of commissioners for ne- 
gotiation. 

The reply of Gen. Grant to this singular offer 
was instantly made. It was written on the spot, in 
his tent, and returned at once by the rebel messenger. 
This brief reply is so exactly like the general that it 
is inserted here entire : — 

Headquarters, Army in the Field, 

Camp near Doxelson, Feb. 16, 1862. 
To Gen. S. B. Buckner, Confederate Army : — 

Yours of this date, proposing an armistice, and appoint- 
ment of commissioners to settle terms of capitulation, is 



"unconditional surrender!" 115 

just received. No terms, other than an immediate and 
Unconditional Surrender, can be accepted. I propose 
to move immediately on your works. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
U. S. .Grant, 

Brigadier- General United- States Army Commanding. 

The rebel general, who had been known as " the 
aristocratic Buckner," was compelled to submit. 
His surrender was complete and unconditional. 
Grant and his army marched into the fort with drums 
beating and the Union colors flying ; while salvos of 
artillery from the fleet of the gallant Foote, in the 
river below, crowned the triumphs of the scene. 

By these great victories of Forts Henry and Don- 
elson the United States came into possession of all 
their contents, and obtained restored control of all the 
country between Columbus, Mississippi, and Bowl- 
ing Green, Ken., for a distance of a hundred and 
twenty miles. The rivers at these points were opened 
to navigation, the hearts of the loyal people were 
greatly strengthened, and the Union flag planted more 
firmly than ever in all Tennessee. 

The rank of Major-General of Volunteers was im- 
mediately conferred on Grant by act of Congress ; 
his commission dating from the day of the surrender 
of Fort DonelSon,— Feb. 16, 1862. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

HIS RAPID PROMOTION. 

THE promotion of Gen. Grant was the most 
rapid of any known in American military his- 
tory. This discernment of his rare merits by the 
people and their official indorsement by our national 
rulers are conclusive proofs that republics are not 
always ungrateful. He had done just what he 
promised to do, just what most needed to be done ; 
and the nation honored him for it. Two forts, com- 
manding a large district of country ; fifteen thousand 
prisoners, including a large number of prominent 
officers ; and a great amount of materiel of war, — 
were the trophies of his hard-won victories at Forts 
Henry and Donelson. The thunder of artillery saluted 
the national flag along the captured ramparts. It was 
echoed from the fleets that had so nobly shared in the 
battles, and re-echoed from the guns on the post at 
Cairo. But it was no moment of idle parade for 
Grant. The salutes to his valor had not died away 
ere he was again in motion for new fields of toil and 
conquest. His command was now extended, by 
general order from-President Lincoln as Commander- 

f 1161 



PHILIP AND THE ARROW. 117 

in-Chief, to include all the important" region known 
as the District of West Tennessee. Every moment 
of his time was busy forwarding his troops to selected 
points, preparatory to future engagements. Calm, 
collected, quiet, to all outward appearance not un- 
usually engaged, he lost not an instant, day or night, 
in the arduous work of perfecting his plans. 

It was at this eventful juncture that the conquered 
rebels began to originate, and their traitorous allies 
at the North to circulate, certain vile slanders against 
the general. Finding him invincible in the open field 
against their treasonable arms they sought to destroy 
confidence in him by means of secret lies. Hence 
it was covertly reported just as he was entering on 
his new and enlarged command, that he was in the 
habit of using ardent spirits to excess. Vile, in- 
famous slander ! It has not only fallen harmless at 
the feet of Gen. Grant, but it will assuredly return 
upon its wicked inventors and bitterly plague them. 

When Philip, the brave hero of Macedonia, father 
of Alexander the Great, was attacking the city of 
Amphipolis, Aster, a dexterous archer, being slighted 
by Philip, aimed an arrow at him. The arrow, on 
which was written the message " Aimed at Philip's 
right eye," struck the eye and put it out. Philip, 
with his usual courage and endurance, immediately 
seized the same arrow, and writing on it the words 
"If Philip takes Amphipolis he will hang Aster," 
shot it over the walls into the city. He conquered 



118 THE TANNER-BOY. 

Amphipolis, and kept his word with Aster. He hung 
him at the gate as a warning to others. 

So it will be with the infamous slanderers of Gen. 
Grant. The arrows they aim at him will all come 
back to them, and their punishment will be recorded 
in the indignant verdict of a free people. The 
creatures who would slander v such a man as Ulysses 
Grant are the lineal descendants of the wretches 
who were guilty of slandering George Washington. 
Grant is to-day, and has ever been, as spotless in his 
character as was the Father of our country. 

"Do you know what the personal habits of Gen. 
Grant really are?" we inquired of one who has 
served long and constantly with him. 

" I know," was the immediate reply, " that he is one 
pf the most moderate of men in his desires. His 
purity is equal to his courage. His personal char- 
acter, to my certain knowledge, is without a blot. 
He is tenderly devoted to his wife and family." 

This testimony comes from a source entirely re- 
liable, and is thus placed on record in these pages 
for the instruction of the young and the honor of our 
country. The ability of Grant to plan and his power 
to command ; his calmness in the midst of impend- 
ing danger ; his hopeful, undisturbed bearing in great 
emergencies ; his force of concentration when the 
moment for decisive action arrives ; his perfect self- 
command and unflinching bravery, — all go to show 
the man as he is, and why the quickly discerning 



MOVES ON CORINTH. 119 

people of America place so much confidence in 
him. 

When his forces were sufficiently gathered and his 
plans properly matured at Fort Henry, Grant was 
ready for another onward movement. The new point 
of attack was Corinth, — an important junction of 
the railway from the North to New Orleans, and from 
the East to Memphis. The rebels immediately con- 
centrated their whole available force at this point. 
They determined to force Grant back, and recover all 
they had lost in Tennessee and Kentucky. Grant, 
now major-general in command, was at the head 
of his combined armies. By a masterly stroke of 
strategy he had taken the adjacent town of Clarks- 
ville and supplied his forces with rebel provisions 
for more than twenty days. He had boldly advanced 
into the territory of the enemy, — a stroke of policy 
they did not anticipate, and for which they were not 
prepared. Now came 1 the moment for his wonted 
caution. He immediately issued an order requir- 
ing that the most rigid discipline should be enforced 
among his troops with reference to the property of 
resident non-combatants. Martial law was declared 
over all West Tennessee and imposed impartially 
on all alike. 

" Let us show our fellow-citizens of these States," said 
the general, "that we come here to crush out this Rebel- 
lion, and to restore to them peace and the benefits of the 
Constitution and the Union, of which they have been de- 



120 THE TANNEK-BOY. 

prived by selfish and unprincipled leaders. They have 
been told that we come to oppress and plunder. By our 
acts we will undeceive them. We will prove to them that 
we come to restore, not violate, the Constitution and the 
laws. In restoring to them the glorious flag of the Union 
we will assure them that they shall enjoy under its folds 
the same protection of life and property as in former days. 

" Soldiers ! let no excesses on your part tarnish the glory 
of our arms. All persons not in arms are to be regarded 
as non-combatants, and are not to be molested, either in 
their persons or property, except as they aid and assist the 
enemy ; when they will become belligerents, and will be 
treated as such. 

" These orders will be read at the head of every regi- 
ment." 

While busily engaged with preparations for his 
subsequent movements at Fort Henry, the regimen- 
tal commanding officers presented him with a sword. 
The weapon was plain and strong, as became his well- 
known character, — more for service than for show. 

On the 12th of March, 1862, he moved out a por- 
tion of his reconnoitering force. The works of the 
enemy were attacked at a point near the town of 
Paris, in Kentucky, and - they driven out. This 
event was soon followed by the organization of the 
department of the Mississippi, which included all 
the country west of a line drawn north and south 
through Knoxvillc, Tenn., as far as Kansas and 
the Indian Territory, and running north to the 
Great Lakes. Gen. Grant was placed at the head 



PITTSBURG LANDING. 121 

of this large command. Opposed to him on the 
part of the rebels was a formidable force, well in- 
trenched at several points, and under the direction 
of some of their ablest generals. Corinth was their 
headquarters, and therefore was to be the point of 
attack. It was the intention of the enemy to hold 
the line of the railway from Memphis, Tenn., to 
Charleston, S.C., and thus not only to keep up 
their interior communications, but to prevent the 
advance of the Union troops below the line of the 
Tennessee. 

Grant now moved forward up the Mississippi, and 
encamped, with his principal force at a place called 
Pittsburg Landing. By a dexterous movement he 
then passed from another point, — Savannah, Tenn., 
— and struck the line of the Jackson and Corinth 
Kail way ; burning the bridges in his march, tearing 
up the track, and preventing the arrival of rebel re- 
enforcements at Corinth. 

On the 5th of April, 1862, the first skirmishing 
commenced. The battle soon began to rage with fury. 
The rebel force at that point was more numerous 
than ours; but, with Gen. Grant at their head, 
our troops performed prodigies of valor. In the 
midst of the desperate charge of the enemy who 
were emboldened by their superior numbers he rode 
along the lines during the entire day, waving his hat 
and 8 word at intervals, cheering on the men by his 
courageous bearing, and the cry : — 

11 



122 THE TANNER-BOY. 

" Stand, my men ! stand for your honor ! stand for 
your lives ! " - 

His officers and troops rallied around him with des- 
perate gallantry. The fight of the day over they all 
slept on the ground at night, through a heavy storm 
of rain. 

This well-planned resistance to the more numerous 
column of the enemy gave opportunity for the arri- 
val of re-enforcements. They were much needed ; 
for, on the morning of April 6, the heavy masses of 
the enemy swept over the field as if they would carry 
every thing before them. But Grant was all ready. 
The battle now raged on every side and the most 
desperate personal conflicts ensued. From near nine 
o'clock in the morning until the going-down of the 
sun it was a hand-to-hand fight. Grant was fight- 
ing a rebel force of over sixty thousand with less 
than forty thousand. Just before sunset the roar of 
artillery and the sharp rattle of musketry became ter- 
rific. He changed his position from time to time, 
but held his ground. It was the practical carrying- 
out of his studies as a cadet at West Point, — a vari- 
ation of tactics, but no surrender. 

Toward the close of the battle, on the second day, 
fresh troops having arrived, he rode to the extreme 
front of the left wing, in the face of the enemy. 
Here they discovered and fired upon him repeatedly ; 
but he passed unharmed through the storm of shot 
and shell, and charged across the field at the head 



HUMANITY TO THE FOE. 123 

of his brave legions, sword in hand. It was the 
turning-point of the day. Cannon-balls and bullets 
fell like hail around him; but he dashed against the 
foe, his men following with loud shouts and huzzas, 
until the enemy fell back in disorder, and sought pro- 
tection within the intrenchments at Corinth. 

The transmission of the news of this victory by 
the telegraph poured a thrill of excitement through the 
country. At the moment of its reception at Wash- 
ington it was sent by the President to both Houses 
of Congress, where it was read to the assembled 
members by the presiding officers. Salutes of guns, 
each salvo numbering one hundred, were fired at the 
capital and different places irwthe nation. 

Grant was wounded in the heat of the action ; 
but he kept his saddle and issued his orders as usual 
in the field. 

His humanity toward his fallen enemy shone out 
on this occasion as it had so often done before. 
When the conflict was ended and calmness had set- 
tled down on the bloody field of strife, he did not 
forget the wounded and dying foe. All the dead of 
both parties were buried at once. He made heavy 
details for this purpose, and saw in person that the 
sad duty was faithfully performed in a manner be- 
coming the true American soldier. Some idea of the 
character of this duty may be formed from the fact 
that the rebels alone lost in killed four thousand 
men, among whom was one of their ablest generals. 



124 THE TANNER-BOY. 

The siege of Corinth immediately followed. All 
these battles had but preceded this event but a few 
days. The bravery and endurance with which our 
troops had sustained the repeated assaults of the 
enemy won for them the highest praise. They con- 
tinued to advance with frequent skirmishes toward 
Corinth; and early in May, 1862, the place was 
invested. The command of Grant was still further 
enlarged, in conjunction with that of his associates, 
and his part properly assigned in the subsequent cap- 
ture of this stronghold. By a series of brilliant 
movements it was advanced upon and surrounded ; 
the adjacent points of defence, including the railway 
lines, were captured; a*id, on the 17th of May, the 
fifth division of Gen. Grant's army attacked and 
drove the rebels at Kussel's Court House, on the road 
to the city. On the 21st of May the second division, 
by a prompt and dexterous movement, brought the 
rebels out of one of the strongest of then intrench- 
ments to the open field, where they were completely 
routed. Both of these movements of the second and 
fifth divisions were under the direction of Gen. Grant, 
and produced a direct and powerful impression on 
the enemy. The Union troops soon possessed them- 
selves of a knowledge of all the strongholds of 
Corinth, and proceeded gradually with the investment. 
The rebels were surprised. Grant was present at 
every considerable movement, by his personal exam- 
ple taking part in the admirably executed plans of 



ATTACK ON CORINTH. 125 

the day, and encouraging the officers and men to 
keep their places like good soldiers of the Republic. 
He was repeatedly within gun-shot of the rebel 
works. The whole front was covered by a cloud 
of skirmishers, who deployed to the right and left of 
the main line, as it steadily advanced. All is still 
as the grave. The line moves on. The skirmishers 
creep silently forward, bent low on the ground. 
Every eye is strained toward the ramparts in the 
front. Suddenly a single rifle rings in the woods ; 
another echoes it, then another, and the whole line is 
on fire. Now the reserves open then- volleys ; then 
the main force joins in with its tremendous blaze, 
and the rattling sound, like the rolling of thunders, 
passes along the entire front of the army. Grant 
is there in the thickest of the fight. A new order is 
issued. All is again silence. The dead, the dying, 
and the wounded are borne to the rear. Great 
volumes of smoke rise in revolving columns in the 
air, and, in places, hang like a pall over the field. 
Another order. The din of battle wakes again. 
Now huzzas mingle with the roar, and colors advance 
nearer to the point of attack. Silence again. A 
body of men, supplied with axes, spades, and picks, 
step quickly over the open space ; and, like a flash, 
the fences disappear on their shoulders, as they rush, 
under cover of our fire, toward the ramparts of the 
enemy. In an instant the line of rails stretches along 
the brow of the hill that has been taken possession 



126 THE TANNER-BOY. 

of; masses of earth fly against the edges ; the bushes 
are borne away as by the sweep of scythes ; and the 
troops, with fixed bayonets and the cannon loaded 
and primed, are in more commanding positions nearer 
the works of the foe. All this seems but the deed 
of a moment ; but it has accomplished a great end, 
and has all passed under the cool and practised 
eye of Grant. The platforms for a combined attack 
soon follow; the muzzles of the mounted guns 
show their grim teeth to the traitors ; and the ban- 
ner of the nation, as it swings around from its lofty 
tree, throws its ample and glorious folds within a few 
feet of the treacherous men who had dared to at- 
tempt to trample it under their unhallowed feet. 

Grant, as usual, was busy in every pa,rt of the 
well-contested field. Early in the morning of the 
last day a series of rapid explosions startled our 
troops while yet formed in line of battle. It was 
the blowing-up of their magazines by the rebels, and 
the intimation of their retreat from Corinth. Huge 
volumes of smoke rose over the city, filling all the 
air for miles around. The army was instantly in 
motion. Shout after shout near the rebel lines pro- 
claimed the fact that we had reached the intrench- 
ments. As we pressed into Corinth the whole place 
was found to be deserted, and half of it on fire. 
Churches, public buildings, stores, dwellings, and 
other private property, had been laid waste by the 
torches of the traitors ; while half the wells of the 



CORINTH CAPTURED. 127 

city had been purposely filled by the ruins, with a 
vandalism worthy of their cause and of their career in 
promoting it. Under cover of this dastardly act of 
destruction the vaunting foe had fled. 

The fifth division of the army, in the immediate 
command of Grant, was the first to enter and occupy 
Corinth. This division had been at the post of 
honor, the right wing of the advance, and moved in 
a manner exciting the highest admiration. The 
triumph of the Union was complete. The strong- 
hold of the rebels, over which they had boasted so 
loudly and so long, had fallen before the victorious 
arms they had affected to despise. The bragging 
cavaliers had meanly succumbed to the hardy pioneers 
of the West and their equally brave allies of the 
East. The display of the defenders of the Republic, 
as they marched into the deserted town and fortress, 
was splendid. The heights afforded a view of the 
country for many miles in extent, stretching away 
over mountain and river through the area of different 
States. Never did the brave old colors float over a 
grander scene. The troops marched in with bands 
playing, and their regimental flags, pierced and rent 
with shots and winds, flying in triumph above them. 
Bayonets and cannon glistened in the sunshine ; while 
over all, on the flag-staff in the centre, floated the 
Stars and Stripes. 

To the credit of Gen. Grant and his associates in 
command the most perfect order was maintained 



128 THE TANNER-BOY. 

throughout the lines. The triumph was complete ; 
but there was no tumultuous exultation. We had 
captured a strong fortress, commanding several im- 
portant railroads contiguous to the great Father of 
Waters and opening to us all that part of the Mis- 
sissippi Valley. It was a place capable of making 
a defence equal to that made at Sebastopol ; yet it 
had been all surrendered before the masterly ap- 
proaches and vigorous assaults of the American 
generals, among whom stands conspicuous Gen. 
Grant. At his instance the most perfect protection 
was afforded to private persons and property ; so 
that our posssession of this powerful stronghold of 
the enemy was not followed by any acts of violence 
or marauding on our part on which we might be 
compelled to look back with regret. The requests 
of the civil authorities, under proper military regu- 
lations, were all granted ; pillage and plunder were 
prevented ; and the restoration of the rule of the 
United States was the establishment of morality, law, 
security and commerce. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

COMMAND AGAIN ENLARGED. 

THE capture of Corinth was followed by the 
enlargement of the command of Gen. Grant. 
The rebels were remaining in States adjacent to the 
town, and it was necessary to dislodge them. For 
this purpose Grant at once set on foot various active 
expeditions. He was therefore placed in charge of a 
new department, to be called the " Department of 
the Tennessee," including Cairo, Fort Henry, Fort 
Donelson, Northern Mississippi, Kentucky, and all 
Tennessee west of the Tennessee River. The troops 
were denominated the Thirteenth Army Corps of the 
United States. 

In the prosecution of his active plans, on June 
20, 1862, he sent a part of his army, under com- 
mand of Gen. Sherman, into Mississippi. This di- 
vision penetrated, according to his directions, as far 
as Holly Springs, on the railway to Jackson, Tenn., 
and New Orleans, compelling the rebels to evacuate 
the place, and remove their machinery for the manu- 
facture and repairing of arms to Atlanta, in Georgia. 
Other expeditions, equally successful, were carried 

[129] 



130 THE TA}s T NEE-BOY. 

out as he directed, so that not a moment was allowed 
to pass away unimproved. The rebels, in the mad- 
ness of desperation, attacked him at Corinth ; but 
they soon found, to their sorrow, that it was one thing 
to be inside the intrenchments, and quite another 
thing to be outside. As they could not defend the 
post when they were in, so they could not take it 
when they were out. Grant drove them off at 
every point, and the flag flies there yet. 

By a coincidence frequently remarkable in the 
career of great men the occasion of the valuable 
services of Grant at this crisis was the moment in 
which he was the most violently assailed. The more 
ardently he served his country, the more bitterly her 
enemies attacked him. He was not a politician. He 
had studiously avoided coming in contact with the 
partisan issues of the day. He was a patriot ; a 
man of the people ; a man born of them, and living 
among them ; a tanner in his boyhood ; a regular sol- 
dier in his manhood ; a volunteer in his middle life ; 
serving his native land, by field and flood, through 
heat and cold ; marching shoulder to shoulder with 
privation, and meeting death face to face. Should 
such a man be slandered, vilified, traduced ? Yet such 
was his fate, as it has been that of multitudes before 
him, and will be that of multitudes after him. 

He had been one of the chief instruments, in the 
hands of the Almighty, of winning some of the 
most signal victories ever won. He had aided in 



SECRET CABALS. 131 

the capture of more than twenty thousand armed 
traitors, every one of whom was striking at the dear- 
est rights and liberties of the American nation. He 
had been a leading participant in the achievements 
that had stricken down some of the strongest forces 
of the rebels in the great South-west, preparing the 
way for the overthrow of the rebel tyranny in Mis- 
souri, Kentucky, and Tennessee. He had taken some 
of the first and most powerful steps then taken to 
open up to the banners and commerce of the Union 
the embargoed waters of the grand highway of the 
Mississippi. Yet, notwithstanding all this, there 
were men found mean and cowardly enough to 
attack him behind their privileged seats in legisla- 
tures, and in the secret cabals of anonymous corre- 
spondence. Instead of honoring him as he should 
have been honored, he was assailed. It could not 
be denied that he had done the work ; but, it was 
carpingly said, he should have done it differently. 
He had fought and conquered, these snarling critics 
were compelled to admit ; but, ah ! he had not done 
so in the right way ! He was not as polite nor as 
polished nor as genteel as he should be. He was only 
the son of a tanner, and had even been himself a 
tanner-boy ! What would the born generals and 
descended statesmen of Europe say, when such vic- 
tories were won by such a man as Grant? What 
would become of their divine right of kings to rule ? 
of their purchased preferments for noblemen to be 



132 THE TANNER-BOY. 

conquerors ? How could the Old World admit that 
genuine heroes could be born and become immortal 
in the New ? How was it possible for a republic in 
these, or any other respects, to be equal to a mon- 
archy ? 

Brave, noble, magnanimous Grant ! How well 
has his conduct answered all these and kindred ques- 
tions ! Modest, cautious, prudent, temperate, pure ; 
a republican soldier ; a friend of the poor man ; 
a guardian of liberty ;- a defender of his country's 
rights, her honor, and her colors, — like Wash- 
ington, the man he aims to be like more than any 
other, he will come out unscathed from the fiery ordeal 
of his enemies, to be remembered and beloved by all 
who know his worth. 

Gen. Grant arrived on the battle-field of Pittsburg 
at eight o'clock of the morning on which that bloody 
battle was fought. He was in his saddle at the front, 
heading his own chosen troops, before nine. It was 
Ins business to be on the same side of the river on 
which the enemy was, because he could not have 
reached and driven him in any other way. He knew 
the re-enforcements were coming, and that he could 
hold the rebels in check, as he did, until the fresh 
troops should arrive. How much better for him to 
be already across the river, able to hold his position, 
than to be on the passage, with the enemy firing on 
his troops in the water ! He was master of the situ- 
ation ; and he knew he could hold it, as he did, until 



SUPPRESSES ILLICIT TRADE. 133 

the increase of the Union forces should give us a 
complete victory. 

As long as history has a page, and a pen with 
which to make her records upon it, the name of 
Ulysses Grant will be remembered with honor in 
connection with the battles of Pittsburg Landing, 
Shiloh, and Corinth. 

The evacuation of Corinth was soon followed by 
the surrender of Memphis, Tenn. This was an im- 
portant post. Gen. Grant resolved to hold it, in 
connection with his operations to redeem the whole 
of Northern Mississippi from the grasp of the Kebel- 
lion. It was here he received his ammunition and 
supplies for active campaigns in the" vicinity. His 
course, in restoring that city to the rule of law and 
order, demands, and will yet receive, the highest 
praise. The illicit trade carried on there, that had 
for a long time furnished aid and comfort to the 
rebels, was suppressed ; and yet it was done in such 
a way that the rights of all law-abiding citizens were 
not in the least infringed. His form of parole is a 
model one of the kind, and shows with what caution 
he proceeded among an uncertain population. 

Every man in Memphis receiving this document 
solemnly swore that, since the occupation of the city 
by the Union troops, he had not furnished any aid 
to the rebels by giving or sending any information of 
the strength, movements, or position of the Union 
army. He furthermore took an oath that he would 



134 THE TANNER-BOY. 

never conspire against the civil or military authority 
of the United States, nor give aid or comfort to the 
rebels. 

This sagacious act placed all who came under it 
within the authority of the Government. A similar 
course was pursued toward all parties liable to be 
engaged in illicit trade. The baggage of all specu- 
lators was carefully examined. Every thing of a 
contraband nature was at once confiscated to the 
Government, and the parties bearing it speedily 
turned back. All unoccupied dwellings, manufac- 
tories, and stores in Memphis were officially taken 
possession, of, and, when suitable, leased out to com- 
petent parties for the benefit of the United States. 
By this act all property was protected alike, and 
made to pay its due share in support of the nation.. 

It was under the influence of these honorable mo- 
tives that Gen. Grant subsequently issued an order 
with regard to trade in which he declared that it 
would be regarded by him as an evidence of disloyalty 
for a person to go beyond the lines of his army to 
eno-ao-e in traffic ; that all contracts so made would 
be declared null and void; and that every person 
so offending should be expelled from his depart- 
ment. 

An individual engaged in making purchases called 
on him one day in his tent. 

"May I obtain permission to engage in trade 
below, general?" 



VETOING SPECULATION. 135 

"Have you seen my orders on the subject, sir?" 

" Yes, general : I have read them carefully." 

"Do you think you understand them, sir? " 

" Yes, general." 

" You are? of course, a loyal man? " 

"I am, general." 

" Are you ready to take the oaths I require ? " 

" Yes, general ; perfectly ready." 

" What do you propose to do ? " 

"I propose, general, to have you give me authority 
to trade, with the privilege of naming your own com- 
petent, upright, Union men, through whose hands 
the transactions shall pass." 

" Pardon me, sir ; but I shall do nothing of the 
kind ! " 

" Why not, general ? " 

"Because, sir, if I were to give you such authori- 
ty, even if it were not abused, — as I know it would 
not be, from what I know of you, — it would be 
published immediately, far and wide, that I was a 
partner of all the speculators in the country ! " 

"But, general, I could disabuse the public mind 
in such cases." 

" Very true ; you might, sir, in every case where 
you are concerned. But my experience in West 
Tennessee has convinced me that any trade whatever 
with the rebellious States is a weakening to the 
Union army of at least thirty-three per cent. No 
matter, sir, what may be the restrictions thrown 



136 THE TANNER-BOY. 

around trade ; if any whatever is allowed, it will be 
made the means of supplying the enemy what he 
wants. Restrictions, if lived up to, make trade un- 
profitable ; and hence none but dishonest men go 
into it." * 

w General, you are right. I submit to your deci- 
sion. It is better, I see, that matters of trade with 
the rebels should go no faster than the Union armies 
advance." 

It is a pleasure to the friends of Gen. Grant to 
know that these views, thus expressed in the neigh- 
borhoods of the rebel territory, and which evince his 
noble sense of honor and high personal integrity, are 
now being generally adopted by the country. 

All the "commercial travellers" to and from the 
tent of Gen. Grant were not always as reasonable 
and patriotic as this gentleman was. Some of them 
were very far from being so. One of this infamous 
class approached the general, not long after this 
interview. He was busy with his military plans in 
the inner part of his tent. His maps, rules and 
compasses -were all in use. His mind ranged over 
the vast extent of country under his control. Moun- 
tains were scaled, rivers forded, swamps bridged, 
deserts traversed-, forests threaded, storms and sun- 
shine were overcome, and he was master of the situ- 
ation. He was just laying out his plan of a projected 
battle, intensely occupied with the marshalling of Ins 
troops in their best positions for viotory, when his ear 



BOOT-TOEING A SCOUNDREL. 137 

caught the inquiry, put to his orderly, in a strong 
foreign accent, — • v 

"Is de genera wl in?" 

Then came the reply, in a firm, decided tone, 
which Gen. Grant understood instantly. 

"Yes, sir; the commanding general is in : but he 
is very busy, sir." 

" Could I zee him a vew momenz ? " 

" He ordered me to say, sir, that he would be very 
much occupied for some time " — 

"On de advance, eh?" interrupted the intruder. 
" Den he is going down furder to de coddon regione ? " 

" I can't say where he is going, sir : I don't know. 
You must leave." 

Stranger becomes more excited, and his accent 
more peculiar. 

"Mine young vrend, I have one important propo- 
sals to make de generawl, — a proposals, mine young 
vrend " — 

" I can't hear your proposal. Step out, sir ! " 

" Sdop, mine young vrend, — sdop one letle mo- 
mend. You zay to de generawl dat I till make it 
one gran' objecs for 'im, — one rich speculadion ! 
You understan', eh?" 

The orderly was about to force the base interloper 
out, with an added word of military admonition, 
when Gen. Grant came quickly forward. He had 
heard the whole conversation, and comprehended the 
entire case in a moment. It was a covert assault on 

12 



138 THE TANNER-BOY. 

his nice sense of honor, and he was determined to 
punish it on the spot. Stepping to the open front 
of his tent, the general seized the rascally operator 
by the collar, and, lifting him several inches from 
the ground, applied the toe of his boot to him in 
such a manner that he was pitched out headlong, 
falling on the muddy ground at a distance of nearly 
ten feet. 

Before the orderly could recover from his surprise, 
the general had quietly retired to his inner apart- 
ment, and the next moment was as busily engaged 
with his maps, and plan of campaign, as if nothing 
had happened. 

Two staff-officers were approaching Gen. Grant's 
tent just at that instant. They saw the booted scoun- 
drel come tumbling out, his eyes distorted, his hat 
off, his hair streaming in the wind, his coat-tail flying 
behind him, and his hands sprawled forth, to break 
as much as possible the force of his sudden plunge. 
It was a fall in speculation they had never seen be- 
fore, and they roared out heartily ; for the visage of 
the wretch told plainly who and what he was. Far 
too many of the tribe had been far too often seen and 
loathed in camp before. They were, and still are, 
among the greatest nuisances and curses of the ser- 
vice ; a plague-spot, a leprosy, on every honorable 
calling connected with the advance of pur army. 
The summary manner in which this mustachioed and 
bedizened specimen of the race had been ejected by 



BOOT-TOEING A SCOUNDREL. 139 

the commanding general was not only a warning to 
him and his class, but a precedent to them, as officers, 
by which they could profit in the future. 

" The peculating vijlain ! " said one of the officers 
to the other, "he has received his deserts. Now let 
the rest of the horde look out ! " 

" The general settled his account for him quick, 
didn't he ? " added the other officer. " But do you 
think he hurt him ? " 

" It strikes me the scamp's feelings were slightly 
wounded, by the way he limps ; and especially as 
the leather of the general's boot is of his own manu- 
facture ! " 

"Is that so?" 

" Certainly ; he gets all his own leather from the 
store of Grant and Son, in Galena." 

" Then he has carried on that business ? " 

"Yes, sir; Gen. Grant was once a tanner-boy. 
Let us now go into his tent, as Commander of the 
Department of West Tennessee." 

The two officers entered together, and were soon 
out of sight. The ejected pimp crawled off, and 
was seen no more. 

These prompt and manly stands of Gen. Grant 
against all approaches to entangling alliances show 
the lofty tone of his character. That his course waa 
appreciated by all honorable men, is proved by the 
proceedings of their public representatives toward 
him. Gen. Grant has never been assailed by any 



140 THE TANXER-BOY. 

but traitors, cowards, tricky speculators, party poli- 
ticians, and their aiders and abettors. 

The Chamber of Commerce of the city of Mem- 
phis, during a brief official visit made by him to that 
post, availed themselves of the opportunity to testify 
their high sense of his distinguished courage, skill, 
and courtesy as an officer, and his exalted integrity 
as a man. That influential body of gentlemen in- 
vited him to the honor of a public dinner in that city 
on the last of August, 1863. This distinction was 
not tendered him merely because he was a military 
hero. It was because he had identified himself with 
the interests of the masses of the people ; because, in 
all his movements, civil as well as military, he had 
studied their welfare, and sought to promote their 
happiness. The people loved while they honored 
him; and, when we follow him in his noble and 
patriotic career among them, we do not wonder that 
they did. 

In his reply to this invitation the general uses the 
following modest and beautiful language : — 

Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 26, 1863. 

Gentlemen, — I have received a copy of resolutions 
passed by the " loyal citizens of Memphis, at a meeting 
held at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce, Aug. 25, 
18G3," tendering me a public reception. 

In accepting this testimonial, which I do at a great sacri- 
fice of my personal feelings, I simply desire to pay a tribute 
to the first public exhibition in Memphis of loyalty to the 



RECEPTION AT MEMPHIS. 141 

Government which I represent in the Department of 
the Tennessee. I should dislike to refuse, for consider- 
ations of personal convenience, to acknowledge anywhere, 
or in any form, the existence of sentiments which I have 
so long and so ardently desired to see manifested in this 
department. The stability of this Government and the 
Union of this nation depend solely on the cordial support 
and the earnest loyalty of the people. While, therefore, 
I thank you sincerely for the kind expressions you have 
employed toward myself, I am profoundly gratified at this 
public recognition, in the city of Memphis, of the power and 
authority of the Government of the United States. 

I thank you, too, in the name of the noble army which 
I have the honor to command. It is composed of men 
whose loyalty is proved by their deeds of heroism and their 
willing sacrifices of life and health. They will rejoice with 
me that the miserable adherents of the Rebellion, whom 
their bayonets have driven from this fair land, are being 
replaced by men ivho acknowledge human liberty as the only 
true foundation of human government. May your efforts 
to restore your city to the cause of the Union be as suc- 
cessful as have been theirs to reclaim it from the despotic 
rule of the leaders of the Rebellion ! 

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, 
Your very obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, Major -General. 

These well-expressed sentiments show the man. 
They received their practical enforcement at the din- 
ner to which they refer. When that occasion took 
place and the toast was given, — 



142 THE TANNER-BOY. 

"General Grant, the guest of Memphis," — 

it was expected that the prolonged and hearty ap- 
plause which followed would elicit from him a speech. 
The mayor and corporation of the city, the Adjutant- 
General of the United-States Army, and other public 
characters, were present at the table, all of whom 
joined in the call. But it was made and repeated in 
vain. Gen. Grant would not stir from his seat. 

Turning to his staff-surgeon, Major Hewit, who 
was near him, he said, — 

" Thank the company, major, for this kind recep- 
tion ; but tell them I cannot make a speech. Speech- 
making is not my business. Say to them, they will 
please excuse me on this occasion. . I am grateful 
for the numerous acts of kindness they have shown 
me. I have only done my duty, — nothing more." 

The handsome manner in which this brief statement 
was made by the surgeon awakened new applause. 
The course of Grant had deepened «the enthusiastic 
admiration which the people cherished for him in 
their hearts, and which no set speech of his or of 
any one could make deeper. All saw in the victori- 
ous general the modesty unassuming, patriotic Ameri- 
can citizen. *. 



CHAPTEK XVIII. 

ADVANCES INTO THE INTEKIOK. 

WE must now review our history, and take the 
reader back to the period of Grant's expedi- 
tions from and in the vicinity of Corinth, Miss. 

At the hour of four in the morning of the 17th 
of September, 1862, an advance was ordered by 
Gen. Grant from Corinth and Jacinto to the town 
of Iuka. At this central point one of the rebel gen- 
erals had concentrated a strong force. It was a dark 
and rainy morning. The roads were deep with mud ; 
the mountain-passes steep, and, in places, filled thick 
with enemies. But the Union army, given by Grant 
in charge of Gen. Rosecrans, advanced steadily. 
The rebels were encountered at Barnett's Corners, on 
the road to Iuka, and, after several sharp skirmishes, 
driven in six miles toward the town. At Iuka, the 
rebels, who were posted on a commanding ridge, 
opened their fire on our lines. The fight continued 
until dark of the 19th of September ; and so success- 
ful had been our attack, that, on the morning of the 
20th, the enemy evacuated the place. Gen. Grant 
entered the intrenchments by the northern route ; 

[143] 



144 THE TANNER-BOY. 

having, by his timely arrival with re-enforcements, 
hastened the evacuation. 

The rebels were taken completely by surprise. 
They supposed they had secure possession of Iuka, as 
a post of much interior importance ; when the sharp 
crack of the Union musketry, sent forward by Grant, 
awakened them from their early morning dreams. 
We had penetrated the town before the enemy was at 
all aware of our being in the vicinity. The adjacent 
woods were full of rebel cavalry ; the watch-fires of 
the sentries were burning in the fields ; yet, while the 
mass of the troops slept in fancied security, the Union 
men were upon them, and had planted a battery 
sufficiently near to enfilade the headquarters of the 
commanding general. They rose from their sleep 
as the Turks rose from their tents, to find the hosts 
of the Greek at their doors. For more than two 
hours the battle raged on both sides ; but the rebels 
were forced to give way before the impetuous valor 
of the troops of Grant. They left the town during 
the nisrht, with their dead unburied on the field. As 
they fled the rebels displayed the vandal character of 
their warfare in glaring colors. They robbed the 
plantations of their own people in their flight, plun- 
dering the potato-patches, barn-yards, and smoke- 
houses ; perpetrating their outrages in broad daylight, 
and in full view of their own commanders. Poor 
families, composed in several instances of helpless 
women and children, were pillaged of their all, and 



CAFTU11E OF IUKA. 145 

left to suffer for the necessaries of life. Such is the 
spirit of reckless robbery that slavery always engen- 
ders. 

The enemy was pursued by our cavalry, who cap- 
tured many of them as prisoners, with a large quan- 
tity of tents and military stores. The victors received 
the warmest commendations from the commanding 
general for their energy, alacrity, and courage. 
The enemy was in a strong position ; his force was 
known to be large : but such was the confidence 
of the Union troops in their cause and their leader, 
that they rushed into the fight with a determination 
to conquer. 

In his address to the army, while Grant congratu- 
lates the noble living he laments the equally noble 
dead, and tenders his kind sympathies to the friends 
of all. "These heroic men," he says, "have freely 
offered their lives a sacrifice in the defence of consti- 
tutional liberty ; and, in their fall, they have rendered 
memorable the field of Iuka." 

Gen. Grant now removed his headquarters to 
Jackson, Tenn. This was a more central point, and 
gave him better command of his enlarged department. 
A combination of the rebel forces was made at Kip- 
ley, Miss., embracing all the available troops they 
could gather. It was this concentration of the trai- 
tors that led to a change in the plans of Grant, in 
the completion of which he strained every nerve, in 
order that lie might be in the right place at the right 

13 



146 THE TANNER-BOY. 

time. The enemy made his most violent attack on 
Corinth ; but the Union garrison defended it with so 
much courage, fighting from hand to hand in the 
streets, that the rebels were again forced out of the 
town, and driven in an ignominious flight into the 
forests. Nearly a thousand additional prisoners were 
left in our hands. 

The dispositions of Grant had completely outgen- 
eralled the enemy. The only retreat for the driven 
foe was in the swamps and jungles, among the preci- 
pices, ravines, and woods ; but, even in these fast- 
nesses, he was pursued by our brave boys, forced 
across the adjacent Hatchie River, and into the most 
distant heights. Not a moment was lost. Two bat- 
teries of artillery were captured from the flying host, 
about three hundred prisoners, and many small arms. 
It was a disastrous day for the Rebellion. The rebels 
had been met on their own chosen ground, in their 
strongest points of defence, and driven out with dis- 
grace and heavy loss. Three combined rebel forces 
had sought their own selected field, under the lead of 
three of their chosen generals ; yet Grant and his 
brave associates had so mastered the situation, that, 
when the hour of conflict came, *hey won a most sig- 
nal victory. The undaunted bravery of our officers 
and men bore down all before them, and added new 
lustre to the Union arms. Whilst one division of 
the army was resisting and repelling the furious on- 
slaught of the rebel hosts at Corinth, another was 



DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE. 147 

attacking the enemy's rear, driving in their pickets 
and cavalry, and diverting from their own front a 
large force of infantry and artillery. The two forces 
then combined to advance, and with unsurpassed gal- 
lantry drove the enemy across the Hatchie, over 
ground where it is almost incredible that a superior 
force should be driven by an inferior, capturing can- 
non, small arms and prisoners. 

This union of the forces under Grant was the chief 
element of success ; such was the confidence in his 
courage and skill. 

Having been designated as the commander of the 
Department of the Tennessee, on the 16th of October, 
1862, his authority was extended so as to include all 
the region of Mississippi down to the celebrated city 
of Vicksburg. This was the opening of a still 
grander combination, producing some of the greatest 
military results the world has ever known. Gen. 
Grant was justly regarded as the master-spirit of the 
hour. By his conquests in conjunction with his gal- 
lant allies he had opened the way for the develop- 
ment of a Union sentiment in different parts of the 
South-west. He was gradually preparing for the es- 
tablishment of the power of the United States in all 
that section, — especially in Tennessee, where it was 
hoped that members of Congress and the Legislature, 
State officers and a United-States senator, would be 
elected. 

The country thus placed under the military control 



148 THE TANNER-BOY. 

of Grant was vast in extent, rich in resources and 
furnished some of the strongest elements that had 
thus far gone to sustain the Kebellion. Nashville, the 
capital of the State of Tennessee, was regarded as 
of the first importance by the rebels ; and it was re- 
solved and published to the world by them, that the 
navigation of the Mississippi and its tributary waters 
should and would be maintained. But in the midst 
of all his conquests, in connection with these great 
objects, the same modest, retiring, unassuming man- 
ner distinguished our general. There was nothing 
dictatorial or overbearing about him. He approached 
the people as one of their number. He made him- 
self acquainted with all their wants. He was gentle 
to then prejudices, forbearing to their passions, kind 
to their advances. All classes found in him a per- 
sonal protector and friend. He interfered with no 
individual rights of conscience or opinions. The 
utmost freedom of the elective franchise was main- 
tained, consonant with the requirements of the 
Constitution of the United States. His great aim 
was to procure the general expression of the real 
will of the people, and then to place it and them 
under the protection of constitutional law. The 
liberties of the people and the rights of the people 
were maintained alike ; for, as we have seen, he had 
been, from his youth up, a man of the people. 

The extension of his military authority in these 
directions of civil life in the AVest is one of the 



CIVIL-MILITARY POWER. 149 

most remarkable elements of success in the character 
of Gen. Grant. Very few men know how to mingle 
judiciously the supreme military with the just civil 
power. The general who has never known defeat in 
his campaigns finds it difficult to submit to the re- 
quirements that are sometimes enforced by judicial 
authority. He has been accustomed always to com- 
mand, and always to be obeyed. It is not always 
easy for him to be commanded and to obey himself. 

This practical difficulty was enhanced by the pecu- 
liar condition of the country over which Gen. Grant 
was placed. The law was already there ; but it was 
the wrong law. The courts were there ; but they 
were the wrong courts. The civil officers were there ; 
but they were all, or nearly all, sworn by their 
solemn oaths to do all they could to destroy the Con- 
stitution and Government of the United States. 
How were these adverse powers to be propitiated? 
How were these discordant elements to be reconciled ? 
He was at the head of a conquering army in supreme 
possession of a conquered territory. How should he 
wisely blend military and civil law ? How should he 
maintain army discipline, and promote the avocations 
of society ? Other generals in other countries when 
entering and possessing them as conquerors, had been 
guided by the old military rule, that the spoils belong to 
the victors. His knowledge of history had taught him 
that Caesar and Hannibal, Alexander and Frederick, 
Napoleon and Wellington, had held it to be lawful to 



150 THE TANNER-BOY. 

allow their victorious troops to ravage the countries 
they had conquered, at so much expense of blood and 
suffering, to repay themselves for their privations out 
of the property of the enemies who had dared and 
been subdued by them in fight. Here, then, in the 
Republic of the new world, under a general of and 
from the people, was to be shown how military law 
could be administered with and for the people. Grant 
was fully equal to the arduous task. His birth, educa- 
tion, manners and habits eminently fitted him to 
perform it, and to perform it well. 

He began at once by removing all the abuses with- 
in his reach in his own immediate command. The 
most strict military discipline was everywhere en- 
forced among his troops. He proved his ability to 
govern citizens well by governing soldiers well. 
Having driven out from his lines the lawless military 
foragers known as "guerillas," — a class of predatory 
bands who live by preying on all within their reach, 
both friends and foes, — he proceeded to show his 
army how the laws with regard to private property 
were to be enforced. Some of the planters in his 
department having complained — no doubt justly — 
that the rebel soldiers in passing through their coun- 
try had ruthlessly stripped them of every thing they 
could plunder and carry away, the general determined 
to probe the evil to the bottom, whenever it could be 
proved against the Union soldiers. He therefore 
issued an order in the field, dated at his headquarters, 



NO PLUNDERING. 151 

Nov. 9, 1862, establishing the peremptory regulation 
that stoppage should be made on muster and pay- 
rolls against divisions for the full amount of depre- 
dations committed by any member or members of the 
division. This compelled the officers of each division 
of the army to be personally responsible, and to 
trace the depredations to their proper sources. 

It was declared in express terms that confiscation 
acts were never intended to be executed by soldiers. 
If they were it was shown them that the Government, 
who paid the soldiers, should reap the benefit, and 
not the soldiers themselves. All such depredators, 
therefore, were to have their pay stopped at once. 
Not only commissioned officers, but all good men in 
the ranks, were shown that the correction of this evil 
was in their own hands. Their patriotism, their self- 
respect, were appealed to, and a reward held out to 
all who would aid in detecting offenders. For every 
violation of the rule to respect private property, com- 
missioned officers were assessed in proportion to then 
pay ; and thus a proper example was set before the 
men. 

The result of this proceeding on the part of Gen. 
Grant was all he expected. It did not, it could not, 
thoroughly eradicate the evil ; but it ameliorated it 
to a great extent ; it promoted good discipline in the 
army, and gave a new and better tone to public sen- 
timent in the conquered country. Society felt the 
benefit of the regulations he had made, in all its 



152 THE TANNER-BOY. 

parts. It was another indication of that clear judg- 
ment and strong common sense that distinguish him 
among men. 

The flocking-in of large numbers of self-emanci- 
pated blacks from different portions of his department 
required the exercise of much caution as to their dis- 
position. The general, therefore, placed them in a 
special camp, in charge of competent parties. Regu- 
lations were issued with reference to their location, 
provision, and employment. They were organized 
into companies, and set to work picking, ginning, and 
baling cotton, as it stood on the plantations. Com- 
manding officers were required to send all such 
persons at once to the quarters provided for them, 
with such teams, cooking-utensils, and otlier baggage, 
as they brought with them. A regiment of infantry 
was placed around them as a guard, suitable surgeons 
were put in charge of them, and such provision made 
as could be for their education and religious enjoy- 
ment. 

These concerted movements of Gen. Grant were 
among the first of the kind begun in the Army of the 
South-west for the protection and welfare of this class. 
Wherever his practical suggestions have been carried 
out faithfully, the best results have ensued. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

RECOVERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 

THE complete possession of the navigation of the 
Mississippi River was a paramount object with 
Gen. Grant. In anticipation of his movements, the 
rebei authorities had sent new forces into the region 
near his department, in the hope of intercepting him 
in his plans. But he had laid them too deeply and 
had pursued them too cautiously, to be thus circum- 
vented by traitors. He perfectly understood all his 
own position, and could well apprehend what the 
operations of the enemy would undoubtedly be. 
Nothing was left to mere conjecture. Every point 
was securely guarded. His work was begun on a 
purpose long and carefully preconcerted. 

The importance of the Mississippi to the United 
States can never be too highly prized. Some of our 
younger readers would probably like to have the 
Major give them a description of this great stream 
of water, in the recovery of which, from the hands 
of the wicked leaders of the Slaveholders' Rebellion, 
Gen. Grant took so prominent and successful a part. 

The Mississippi is the largest river in North 

[153] 



154 • THE TANNER-BOY. 

America. In its length of navigable tributaries^ and 
in extent of facilities afforded to travel and commerce, 
it is the greatest river in the world. Its first dis- 
covery by Europeans was made *by a Spanish sea 
captain, named Pinedo, in the year 1519. On entering 
its mouth from the Gulf of Mexico he called that 
part of its waters the Mar Pequena, or Little Sea. 
The mighty river he set down on his map of discovery 
as the Rio del Espiritu Santo, or the River of the 
Holy Ghost. In a chart made for the celebrated 
Charles the Fifth, Emperor of Spain, in 1529, it is 
placed with remarkable accuracy under the twenty- 
ninth degree of north latitude. The great bay. 
which these early navigators of our American coast 
called the " Little Sea " is the sheet of water included 
in the promontories formed by the northern gulf- 
shore and the passes of the Mississippi. They found 
these passes difficult of navigation in their day ; and, 
on all the capes by winch they sailed in safety, they 
put up the holy cross. 

Capt. Pinedo was followed, in the years 1532 
and 1535, by Cambeca de Yaca, Navarez, and other 
enterprising seamen, who made several additional 
discoveries. They passed farther up the stream, and 
called it the Rio Grande, or Grand River. 

Fernando de Soto was the third discoverer and 
principal old Spanish explorer of the Mississippi. 
He arrived on its borders, in the neighborhood of 
the Chickasaw Bluffs, in the year 1542. After as- 



RECOVERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 155 

cencling and descending the river, and making many 
important discoveries of its wonderful extent, he died 
on its solitary banks, and was buried in its silent 
waters at the dead hour of night, near the mouth of 
the Arkansas. In the following year, 1543, the suc- 
cessor of De Soto, Capt. Mososco, sailed down the 
entire length of the river to the sea. 

' These navigators from old Spain were followed by 
others from different countries. In 1673 a French- 
man named Marquette, in 1682 another named La 
Salle, and in 1685 De Ponti, made still more minute 
discoveries. La Salle explored in boats all the 
passes at the mouth of the river, and erected a monu- 
ment at one of the dividing points, bearing the arms 
of France. 

The first designation of the river as the " Missis* 
sippi " was by Father Marquette in 1672. He, how- 
ever, added to the Indian name the title Riviere de 
Conception, — the Eiver of Conception. Subse- 
quently La Salle, having been sent out by Colbert, 
the French Minister of Marine, called it "Riviere de 
Colbert," — the River of de Colbert. On some old 
maps, long after this, the whole Upper Mississippi 
country was called La Colbertie, — Colbert's Land. 

The origin of the name n Mississippi " is traced to 
the Indian tribes on its banks. Several other at- 
tempts were made to change it, beside those already 
mentioned. Iberville, another traveller, in the year 
1699, called it Malbouchia. In the year 1712, King 



156 THE TANNER-BOY. 

Louis of France ordered, by letters-patent, that from 
that date the great river " heretofore called c Mis- 
sissippi ' should be called f Riviere Saint LouisS " 
But this new name, even under the authority of the 
illustrious French monarch of that age, shared 
the fate of its predecessors. It soon fell into disuse, 
while the ancient name was retained. In the year 
1721, the historian Charlevoix, who travelled along 
the river, always calls it Micissipi ; and in his work, 
published in France in 1744, he sets it down authori- 
tatively as the Mississippi. 

This singular name is one originally used by the 
Ojibbeway Indians. The early Christian missionaries 
heard it for the first time among this tribe around 
Lake Superior. Its meaning is the "Father of 
Waters," or the " Great Water," or " Rivers from all 
Sides." 

The source of this remarkable stream has been 
traced to the beautiful Lake "Itasca," — located at a 
distance of three thousand one hundred and sixty 
miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and one thousand 
five hundred feet above the level of the sea. This 
lovely inland lake lies embowered in the hills of the 
North-west, shaded by the tall pine-forests, where 
from its silent fountains it gives life to the great 
Father of Waters. The river at its outlet is but 
twelve feet wide, and eighteen inches deep ! . From 
this point it flows northwardly and north-east wardly, 
passing through the smaller Lakes Irving and Trav- 



RECOVERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 157 

ers ; then, turning eastwardly and south-eastwardly, it 
passes to Lake Cass, a sheet of water of considerable 
extent, thirteen hundred and thirty feet above the 
level of the Gulf of Mexico. Journeying on through 
other minor lakes, and reaching as far on its northern 
course as the forty-eighth degree of north latitude, 
pursuing, for a time, a winding course eastwardly, it 
finally turns to the south, and keeps on its mighty 
march in that direction, until it launches out grandly 
into the Atlantic Ocean. 

The course of the Mississippi is pursued down a 
level of about five inches to every mile, and at the 
average rate of four miles an hour. The region it 
traverses from its source is an elevated table-land, 
abounding in small bodies of pure water, fed chiefly 
by mountain-springs. As its enters the lower coun- 
try the soil becomes more level, in some places rising 
abruptly to eminences ; and then, continuing to un- 
dulate, sinks to the swampy and sandy, until it 
reaches the Mexican Gulf. 

Some idea of the value of this stream as a means 
of water-communication may be formed from the 
fact that it furnishes navigation, through itself and 
its tributary rivers and bayous, for sixteen thousand 
six hundred and seventy-four miles. The number 
of streams that enter into it from its source to its 
mouth is seventy-eight ; and of these some are of 
the largest class of navigable waters — such as the 
Missouri, the Red River, the St. Peter's, the Ohio, 



158 THE TANNER-BOY. 

the Arkansas, the Wabash, the Cumberland, and 
the Tennessee. The Missouri supplies navigation 
for eighteen hundred miles ; the Eed River, for fifteen 
hundred; the St. Peter's, for eleven hundred; the 
Ohio, for one thousand ; the Arkansas, for eight hun- 
dred ; the Tennessee, for seven hundred; and the 
Wabash and Cumberland, for four hundred each. 
Other tributaries average from five miles to three 
hundred. 

After it passes the mouth of the Missouri the 
usual width of the Mississippi is about one mile. 
The depth gradually increases as it marches on its 
splendid course ; until, from having been only thirteen 
inches deep at its outlet from the beautiful Lake 
Itasca, it reaches, at the leeves of the city of ~Ne\v 
Orleans, one hundred feet ! Sweeping on by this 
great south-western metropolis, in the form of a 
crescent current, leaving its wealth of treasures on 
its shores, it pours onward, in a winding course of 
one hundred and five miles, through a country only 
ninety miles directly distant from the Gulf of Mexico, 
as if it would linger as long as possible through its 
inland journey to fertilize and beautify and enrich 
the earth before it shall be lost in all its heights and 
depths, its might and strength, in the broader and 
deeper and stronger sea. 

The grand object for the possession of this wonder- 
ful river of rivers was not so much to follow it to 
its source, to float along its current, to admire its 



RECOVERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 159 

scenery, to be astonished at its extent, as to be able 
to control its navigation. The Mississippi drains a 
country of over one million square miles. It is the 
vast watery outlet of the West for the productions 
of scores of millions of the people of America. 
God has decreed that it shall be free to all this people. 
As the chainless ocean, as the resistless tides that 
ebb and flow, as the uncurbed winds that wing their 
way through space, as the living currents that rise 
and fall in the human heart, so the great Father of 
Waters must be for ever free. The people at its 
source in Itasca cannot dam it up, and keep it there ; 
the people at the Balize cannot build a barrier that 
it will not overleap as it rolls onward into the ocean. 

Every attempt of the kind to control the naviga- 
tion of such free highways of commerce and travel 
has always signally failed, and must 'continue to fail 
for ever. The right of the inhabitants of the upper 
country of a navigable river to descend its course in 
freedom to its mouth has ever been maintained by a 
free people, and it ever will be. When, therefore, 
fiie occupants of the lower waters of the Mississippi 
River combined in an unholy alliance for the per- 
petuation of slavery, to prevent the occupants of its 
upper waters from enjoying its free navigation, they 
attempted more than men ever could or can accom- 
plish. 

Here was one of the great fundamental and fana- 
tical delusions of the slaveholders of America. As 



160 THE TANKER-BOY. 

they thought, in their madness, that the people of 
Europe would succumb to their insolent demands for 
arbitrary sway to obtain their great Southern staple, 
— cotton, — so, with equal insanity, they thought 
if they could hold at their will the navigation of the 
Mississippi River, they should not only secure an 
easy transit for their own military, naval, and com- 
mercial supplies, but they would compel all the people 
of the vast North-west to succumb to their power 
for the sake of peace and their supposed interests. 

Visionary dreamers of latter-hour despotism ! They 
could no more accomplish their impious tyranny 
than the despotic Emperor Joseph the Second could 
control the navigation of the Scheldt from Antwerp 
to the ocean ; than the British ministry could collect 
a tax without their consent from the colonists of 
America ; or than the Treaty of Ghent could have 
ignored the claims of the United States with refer- 
ence to the acquisition of Louisiana and Florida, by 
which the right to navigate the Mississippi, from its 
source to the Gulf of Mexico, had been guaranteed 
down from the previous treaty of 1783. The right 
to that free navigation, exclusively vested by the 
most solemn treaties in the United States, could not 
be lawfully set aside by the municipal laws or sec- 
tional customs or local institutions of any one State, 
without the unanimous or two-thirds consent of all 
the rest. The American Union controls the Missis- 
sippi and the Union alone. 



RECOVERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 161 

When, therefore, the slaveholders of the South and 
their allies had basely seceded from the United 
States because they could no longer control them, 
one of their first attempts was to secure and hold 
for their exclusive benefit the Mississippi River. 
They needed it for passing their troops and munitions 
of war from one part of the Rebellion to the other ; 
and they intended also to destroy, as far as possible, 
all intercourse on this great highway of the nation, 
that could be of benefit to the United States in the 
North, and the city of New Orleans and other ter- 
ritory already in our possession in the South. By 
this means they plotted to keep back all the rich 
agricultural products of the North-west, all the 
manufactures of the East going that way, and all 
the cotton and sugar of the contiguous South-west, 
from supplying the wants of the United States and 
encouraging friendly feelings for us abroad. 

In pursuance of their plots the rebels fortified, 
as fast and as strongly as possible, every available 
point they could command on the Mississippi. Dur- 
ing the fall and winter of the year 1861, they were 
engaged j n the work of erecting fortifications to 
blockade the river. The first of these was at Port 
Hudson ; but the principal one was at Vicksburg, — 
both directly on the banks. The former is located 
on the east bank of the river in Louisiana, near 
Baton Rouge ; and was not completed until Nov. 25, 
1862, after the capture of New Orleans by the 

14 



1G2 



THE TANNEK-BOY. 



United States. The object of its erection was to 
prevent the Union troops from ascending from that 
city up the river for the purpose of co-operating with 
those above. In January of the previous year, 
similar preparatory movements had been made by 
the rebels at Vicksburg. The governor of the State 
of Mississippi sent forward a park of artillery, and 
commenced the fortification of this stronghold. It 
was regarded by them — as it has since been proved 
to be — the Gibraltar of the Mississippi, — the 
Sebastopol of America. 



G 



CHAPTER XX. 

VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 

EN. GRANT was now entering on the great 
theatre of his Western campaign. The forti- 
fications of the rebels at various strong points, by 
means of which they hoped to render the blockade 
of the Mississippi perfect, had been captured or 
blown up. They therefore turned their attention to 
what they knew to be stronger posts of defence and 
assault, with a view to making them impregnable. 
Such was the natural position of Yicksburg, on one 
of the highest bluffs of the river, commanding per- 
fectly the whole surface of the broad waters for 
miles above and below, that it was determined to 
hold it at any expense and at every sacrifice. To 
secure its downfall, by means of which that of Port 
Hudson would follow, and the navigation of the river 
thus be rendered free once more, was now the con- 
stant study and aim of Grant. A Western man 
himself, born among some of the rills that fed its 
gigantic current, familiar as a business man with 
the avenues of commerce that pour down by its stream 
from the fertile prairies of the upper country to the 

[163] 



164 THE TAXXER-BOY. 

lowlands of the delta of the Gulf of Mexico, know- 
ing by experience how the hardy settlers felt with 
regard to their inherent rights to the free navigation 
of this greatest navigable river of the world, he set 
himself deliberately, calmly, perse veringly, with all 
his wonted courage and tact, to the capture of Vicks- 
burg. It was the greatest work of the kind ever 
undertaken by man. The gates of Yicksburg, in 
blocking the Mississippi, were like the gates of Gaza 
in the way of Samson. But the strength of both 
these men was the delegated strength of the Almigh- 
ty, and they felt that they could not fail. The word 
" can't " was still not to be found in Grant's diction- 
ary. 

Every previous effort to reduce this stronghold of 
the Rebellion had failed. It was boldly proclaimed 
to the world by the rebels and their allies that it 
could not be taken. The fleet of United-States gun- 
boats, that, with admirable bravery and skill, had 
captured every other point, hung fire at Yicksburg. 
There was clearly no way of reducing it but by a 
combined attack from the navy in front and the 
army in the rear. In anticipation of such an assault 
the rebels had brought in their rescued guns from 
every available point ; and, under the control of their 
most able engineers and other officers, — men who 
had received their military educations and prefer- 
ments at the hands of the generous country they 
were now so basely betraying, — they worked hard, 



APPROACHES VICKSBURG. 165 

day and night, until Vicksburg became a vast series 
of forts, enclosing each other in regular succession, 
holding the fortified city, as a citadel, in the centre. 
A large body of troops, and an abundant supply of 
ammunition and provisions, in command of the high- 
est officer, by title, in the rebel service, were sta- 
tioned at the post. The United States were defied 
with scorn, and boldly dared to come and take Vicks- 
burg if they could. Shells could not destroy it from 
the river ; troops could not invest it from the land. 
We shall see. 

On the 1st of June, 1862, the fleet of the naval 
hero, Commodore Farragut, which had so gloriously 
participated in the capture of New Orleans from the 
enemy, came up from the Lower Mississippi, and 
attacked a battery of rifled guns at Grand Gulf. 
The battery was silenced, and the gallant fleet passed 
toward Yicksburg. Memphis was reduced on the 
6th of June; and, on the 7th, the fleet, having 
destroyed the effectiveness of the Grand-Gulf bat- 
tery, cast anchor at its selected point in the cam- 
paign. 

The rebels had now fairly taken the alarm. With 
hurried feet and hands, showing their loud boastings 
to be the merest bombast, they removed all the State 
papers from their capital, at Jackson, Mississippi, in 
hopes, if possible, of finding a place of greater safe- 
ty. The whole adjacent country was in motion ; and 
it soon became evident that the bold defiance of 



166 THE TAjOEK-BOY. 

rebellion at Vicksburg was about to be put to the 
severest test. Grant was everywhere busy with his 
army movements ; and, by a preconcerted signal from 
him, on the 27th of June, 1862, Commodore Farra- 
gut began the bombardment of Vicksburg. Com- 
modore Porter's mortar fleet moved down from above, 
where it had been doing the most effective service, 
and joined in bombarding the town. This part of 
the attack continued, with occasional necessary inter- 
missions, until late in the ensuing July. Meanwhile, 
Grant was every moment engaged in the campaign. 
Every thing was being done in accordance with his 
directions and suggestions as commander of the 
department ; but the usual decrease of the water 
of the river in summer compelled the fleet to with- 
draw for a time to New Orleans, which it did early 
in August. 

The strength of the rebel river-batteries at Vicks- 
burg was materially increased by the addition of a 
heavily armed steamer. She was called " a ram," 
because of an iron projection attached to her bows, 
by means of which she could be driven against and 
into ordinary wooden vessels, battering holes in their 
sides, and sometimes sinking them on the* spot. 
One of this class of war-monsters had been built by 
the rebels at a temporary navy-yard in the Yazoo 
River, which has its entrance into the Mississippi only 
about twelve miles above Vicksburg. This vessel 
they called the "Arkansas," after the then rebel State 



TURNING THE RIVER. 167 

of that name ; and forcing her down in the right, past 
Porter's fleet, succeeded in placing her alongside the 
docks, under the guns of the batteries on the bluffs. 
But this hurried triumph of the rebels was short. It 
was not long before two of the Union gunboats, the 
w Essex " and " Queen of the West," poured such hot 
shells upon and within her as she lay at the wharf, 
that she was disabled in her machinery, and rendered 
utterly useless to the enemy. 

A scientific plan was now formed, under the direc- 
tion of Gen. Williams, of Gen. Grant's Department, 
to isolate Vicksburg from the navigable waters of the 
river by means of a canal. It was proposed to dig 
this canal in such a way that it should divert the 
entire channel of the great Mississippi from its an- 
cient bed, so that vessels could pass up and down 
beyond the reach of the guns of Vicksburg, and leave 
that vaunting stronghold high and dry, to stand in 
deserted grandeur on its towering bluffs. The plan 
was one of the grandest ever conceived in military 
histoiy. The river, in consequence of its winding 
course, is well calculated, in certain places, for such 
purposes. There are points, where, by digging a 
comparatively short distance, the water can be forced 
from its old into a new channel; and when at a 
high stage, and the current is deep and strong, the 
rush of the river will cut its new passage through 
the opening, and soon render the channel deep 
enough for navigation. In consequence of unex- 



168 THE TANNER-BOY. 

pected delays, however, in procuring the necessary 
amount of labor, by the time the initiatory opening 
had been dug the strength and depth of the current 
were not sufficient for the object desired. Had not 
Grant changed his plan, for good and sufficient 
reasons, in the prosecution of his immediate cam- 
paign, the succeeding rise of the river would have 
accomplished all he aimed at by the canal. It would 
have required only continued industry, patience, and 
perseverance, — the elements of character which we 
have repeatedly seen he possesses in a remarkable 
degree. Not a day or hour of that labor was lost ; 
for it has shown what military skill and strategy can 
do at the appointed time. 

Finding themselves thus approached from above 
and below by a commander who was unceasing in 
his plans and labors, the rebels were compelled to 
attempt the work of fortifying still more. They 
threw up new and strong redoubts on the hills around 
Vicksburg. They planted siege-guns on every side, 
so as to command every ravine, every gully, every 
eminence and approach to their city in the rear. 
What nature had made apparently impregnably 
strong, they made, if possible, still stronger. The 
residents of the town united with its armed defenders 
to render every house as literally a castle of defence, 
a tower of retreat, as could be done. The laborers 
were employed to dig and fit up for dwellings caves 
in the earth, which were occupied as habitations for 



CAVE HOUSES. 169 

families. Some of these were constructed in the 
form of the letter T, with the entrance at the lower 
end ; the main room running along the centre mark, 
and the top forming two wings for side -rooms. 
These holes were sometimes made large enough to 
contain a man and woman, several children, a cow, 
a pig, poultry, and cooking utensils. The main 
room was frequently so low that the occupants could 
not stand upright ; so that they would retire into one 
of the wings, which had been dug a little deeper in 
the ground for the purpose. In these caves they 
were protected against the shells from the fleet. But 
justice requires us to state that there was no occasion 
for a single family remaining in Vicksburg, as the 
citizens had ample opportunities to retire from the 
place in safety at any moment. By the uniform 
courtesy of Grant they were held, as he always held 
non-combatants, entitled to kind treatment, even 
though in rebellion against a just and lawful govern- 
ment. But their course in choosing to remain under 
fire was their own. They were the victims of their 
own perverseness and folly. Such will be the im- 
partial record of history. The voice of humanity 
will testify that Ulysses Grant was not in any way 
responsible for the loss of the life of a single non- 
combatant at Vicksburg. 

The increase of his forces was now resolved upon 
by the Government of the United States. He was 
at once supplied with a body of fresh troops. They 

15 



170 . THE TANNER-BOY. 

were selected men, under the command of Gens. 
Hovey and Washburne ; and arrived at the close of 
November, 1862. The army of Gen. Grant was at 
that time being concentrated on the opposite shore 
of Arkansas. A new and practical movement was 
at hand. While the navy was shelling Vicksburg, 
Grant was not idle. He 'ordered the new cavalry, 
under Gen. Washburne, to attack a rebel camp at 
the mouth of the Cold- Water River, where he com- 
pletely routed the eneny, capturing horses, arms and 
equipments. The advance followed as far as Pres- 
ton, then to Garner's Station, where the railway 
bridge and track in possession of the rebels were 
thoroughly destroyed. This and other expeditions 
against the enemy, sent out by order of Grant, were 
wholly successful. The location and condition of the 
rebel forces were discovered, and arrangements ac- 
cordingly made to continue the advance under the 
most favorable circumstances. 

Grant, with the main body of the army, now 
moved steadily forward. On the 28th of November 
he was approaching Holly Springs, one of the most 
important towns in that part of Mississippi. All 
this while the secret rebels around him, co-operating 
with then allies at Memphis and other places, were 
covertly forwarding information of his progress to 
the enemy ; but his consummate shrewdness made 
him well aware of the fact of tliis treachery, and 
kept him constantly on his guard. In all his move- 



RASCALLY PEDDLERS. 171 

ments he was never once deceived by false reports. 
What an evidence of his skill as a general ! What 
a caution to others in command ! 

On the morning of the 29th of November, 1862, 
he reached Holly Springs, passing directly through 
it; waiting not a moment for any exhibition of 
temporary triumph, but pressing on to the next 
point of importance. His arrival at the adjacent 
town of Waterford was so sudden to the rebels, who 
had foolishly imagined he would halt and refresh 
and exult, as some other generals have done in 
other places, when he reached Holly Springs, that 
they were all taken completely by surprise. It was 
here he discovered, before the traitors had time to re- 
move them, the proofs of the illicit traffic carried on 
between the town and some of the " speculators " of 
St. Louis, Mo., — a gang of that delectable clan of 
robbers who are always on the wait with their traps 
and poisons for " de advance of de armee." After the 
sample we have had of his summary ejection of one 
of these villanous hangers-on from his tent we need 
not stop to ask here what the general did with these 
Waterford scoundrels. We will give a brief con- 
versation on the subject between two soldiers : — 

First soldier. "I say, Frank, did you see what 
Gen. Grant done with them chaps he caught peddlin' 
their St. Tiouis plunder last night ? " 

Second soldier. "No, Sam : what was it?" 

First soldier. " Gaully fy ! old feller ! you ought 



172 THE TANTSER-BOY. 

ter seen him. I was with Col. Lee's cavalry, and 
we'd pushed on far ahead. We kum down on the 
rebs, like hawks do on buzzards, before they knew 
we was a-coming ! Gorre ! didn't they scamper ? 
Better believe they did, though ! " 

Second soldier. "But where was Gen. Grant?" 

First soldier. " Oh ! he was close aboard the old 
rips, with their gew-gaws and gim-cracks ; and the 
way he scattered them ! my ! but it was a caution to 
Moses and Aaron and Abraham and Isaac and 
Jacob, and all the rest of the tribe ! 

" f Orderly ! ' says the general ; and you oughter 
seen him straighten himself up in his stirrups, on 
them are big cavalry boots o' his'n ! His foot kept 
a-twitchin ' up an' down, as tho' he wanted to git off 
orfully, and put the toe to 'em. ? Orderly ! ' says he, 
r what are these fellows doing here ? Bring a guard 
instantly, and march them to the guard -house ! Put 
them in close confinement, on bread and water, till 
further orders ! ' 

" Hi yah ! But you ought ter seen 'em drap their 
greasy bedtick packs, and try to run ! 

" r No, you don't!' says some of our boys, of 
Washburne's cavalry. ' Stop there, you thievm' 
rascals ! or we'll put a bullet through every one of 
yer dirty carcasses ! ' 

" Oh ! how they fell down on their marrA' bones ! 
— while Gen. Grant rid off with a cool smile on his 
face, as he left 'em in our hands. 



"sarved 'em eight!" 173 

"And didn't we put them are villins through? 
I'll bet we did ! They went over that shell road 
two forty, and no mistake ! " 

Second soldier. " Sarved 'em right ! " 

First soldier. "Of course it did. Didn't do 
nothin' els. And we ain't been troubled with the 
varmin eny more ever sence ! " 

The two soldier-boys rode on together, with a 
joint hearty laugh. The peddling scamps and spies 
felt the full force of practical " confiscation " in this 
case, the act being carried out to the letter, "by 
authority " of the commanding general. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

HOLLY SPRINGS. 

ALL the movements made by Grant had direct 
reference to the ultimate capture of Vicksburg. 
However circuitous might be his routes or distant his 
attacks, they were all intended to culminate in the 
one great object of the re-opening of the Mississippi 
to free navigation. The movement on Holly Springs 
and vicinity was one of this character. His con- 
summate generalship was seen everywhere as he 
advanced. From Oxford to Water Valley, from 
CofFeville to Delta, from Corinth to the Yazoo, 'the 
entire line of operations was always under his imme- 
diate management. Every place he captured was 
always left so well guarded by him, that no advantage 
could be taken by the enemy of his subsequent ad- 
vances. Thus to guard well the rear, to leave no 
loophole by which the wily foe can enter, is one of 
the best proofs of good generalship that can be 
afforded. Such was ever the skill and strategy of 
General Grant. But he could not always rely on 
equal discernment and caution in all under his com- 
mand. Hence, when he had passed on with his vic- 
[174] 



GUARDING THE REAR. 175 

torious wing of the army to Oxford, Mississippi, 
and made his headquarters there, he soon changed 
his base in consequence of the disobedience of his 
commands by a subordinate. Some delay and loss 
were caused at Holly Springs by neglecting to fortify 
the place. The sensitive nature of Grant was deeply 
pained and mortified by this neglect. He knew that 
the post could have been held, if only a few hours' 
labor had been devoted by the garrison to the erection 
of breastworks. To form these an abundance of baled 
cotton and other materials was at hand. Once prop- 
erly erected and guarded, they would have proved an 
ample defence against any force the enemy could at 
that time bring into the field. 

In connection with this affair at Holly Springs he 
established a rule with regard to paroles on the field. 
He showed the part of the army concerned that by 
refusing paroles, under such circumstances, the 
officers and men compel the enemy to take care of 
them as prisoners of war ; which would have forced 
the rebels, in this case, to have abandoned all aggres- 
sive operations, as it would have required all their 
effective troops to take care of their Union prisoners. 
In that case their ultimate discomfiture would have 
been almost certain. 

He immediately issued orders, therefore, to have 
all these field paroled men gathered in camp by 
themselves ; and directed commanders throughout 
the department to arrest and hold in * charge for 



176 THE TANNER-BOY. 

this camp, all stragglers who accepted their paroles 
on these terms. 

By adopting this prompt course, by means of which 
all paroles obtained by neglect of duty were rendered 
worthless, Gen. Grant compelled all commands left 
in charge of captured posts to use the utmost vigi- 
lance and courage in their defence. When, there- 
fore, some of these posts were subsequently attacked 
by the enemy, they were defended by our men, not 
only as if they expected no paroles, but would re- 
ceive none. 

In every place along the line of Grant's march 
success followed the Union arms. The enemy was 
made to suffer a loss in killed and wounded greater 
than the entire garrisons of the places attacked. 
Whenever our troops made a stand, they conquered. 
At Holly Springs, if our garrison had not been left 
by its commander in ignorance of the approach of the 
enemy, and if he had taken the necessary precautions 
for defence, a like success would have ensued. Even 
here, the opportunity revealed the friendship that 
existed among portions of the people for the Union, 
and encouraged the daring advance of Grant. Ever 
watchful, ever vigilant, he was not only quick to 
appreciate these friendly approaches among the citi- 
zens, but equally quick to punish any act of cow- 
ardice, perfidy, or pillage, on the part of his own 
officers and men. 

The power of the general had no^been increased 



SEEING THE FIGHT. 177 

to the command of four entire corps of the army and 
of the auxiliary naval force. In the movement of 
such large bodies of men up and down the vicinity 
of a blockaded river, across a very uneven country, 
inhabited by numerous secret and treacherous foes, 
the greatest vigilance and skill were indispensable to 
success. Orders were given, therefore, which brought 
the hangers-on of the army quickly to a realizing 
sense of their situations. 

It will be remembered by the readers of history 
that when Wellington was about leading his troops 
to the front to engage in the great battle of Wa- 
terloo, several prominent gentlemen of the vicinity 
came to him, and boldly asked his permission to wit- 
ness the fight. 

"Oh, yes, gentlemen, — certainly ! " said the Field 
Marshal, blandly. "By all means, gentlemen, you 
shall see the battle ! " 

So saying, he turned to one of his staff, and quietly 
added, 

"Adjutant ! show these gentlemen the muster-rolls 
of the Guards. Take a full descriptive list of each 
one of them ; give them all a loaded musket apiece, 
and march them to the front ! They want to see 
the fight, adjutant ; and they can see it there to the 
best advantage ! " 

It is needless to add that all further curiosity of 
the gentlemen on these terms was soon satisfied. 
They were glad to leave the field with their own arms, 



178 THE TANNER-BOY. 

modestly and most respectfully, rather than to bear 
to the front those of their country. 

A similar treatment was always administered by 
Gen. Grant to those idle hangers-on of his army. At 
the proper time, just as a hazardous advance was to 
be made directly in the face of the enemy, he quietly 
ordered that any citizen accompanying the expedition, 
unless directly employed by the Government, should 
be liable to be conscripted into the service of the 
United States for the unexpired term of the com- 
mand. If he should show a refractory temper when 
placed in the ranks, and thereby prove himself unfit 
for the honorable position of a soldier of his country, 
the commanding officer present was authorized to 
turn him over to the captain of some boat-battery or 
transport, to be employed, if necessary, as a powder- 
monkey or a deck-hand, and compelled to work in 
that capacity the required time. 

Any person whatever, whether in the service of the 
United States or on board the transports in the 
river, who should be detected in making reports, 
even for publication at home, which might reach the 
enemy, and would in any way give them aid and 
comfort, was to be arrested and treated as a spy. 

These explicit orders, which clearly show the prac- 
tical working of the mind of Grant, were very wet 
blankets to the professedly glowing patriotism of cer- 
tain gentry, who had ardently desired, for special 
reasons, to keep near the person of the commanding 



VAGRANTS TO THE REAR. 179 

general. When they found that to keep thus near 
him was to be a soldier in the field, a powder-monkey 
in a battery, or a deck-hand on a transport, they 
wisely concluded that "discretion" was, indeed, "the 
better part of valor ; " and so they quietly withdrew 
to the non-combative region of hospitals, commissary 
stores, cook-houses, smithies, and sutlers' rations for 
man and beast. In all times of active advance, there 
may they ever remain ! 

The rebels constantly retreated before the steadily 
advancing columns of Gen. Grant. Finding it to be 
impossible to resist him, at length, they destroyed all 
the public property that they saw must fall into his 
hands, and gradually and sullenly withdrew from the 
field, to join their forces to those within the intrench- 
ments of Yicksburg. But for the unnecessary sur- 
render of Holly Springs through the incompetence 
of the officer in charge, the whole of the country in 
the rear of Vicksburg would have been commanded, 
at the outset, and the rebels prevented from massing 
any considerable number of troops in that direction. 
As it was, the combinations of Grant with Sher- 
man, by means of which the latter obtained possession 
of Milliken's Bend, on the river, Delhi, Dallas, and 
other strong points, were entirely successful. The 
way was now prepared for the forces under Sherman 
to be moved from near the mouth of the Yazoo, with 
a view to attacking the Vicksburg batteries on the 
northern side. This attack was to be made by the 



180 THE TANNER-BOY. 

right wing of the army of the Tennessee. It began 
on the morning of the 26th of December, 1862. 
The whole force was landed on that day, and line of 
battle formed on the ensuing morning. The battle 
raged until the 28th of December. But the force of 
Gen. Sherman was at that time too small to prose- 
cute the assault to advantage, and he desisted, until 
further orders. The works of the enemy had been 
greatly strengthened ; he had thrown the troops, 
driven by Grant from the interior, within the in- 
trenchments, which materially increased his power to 
resist. Our men fought with great bravery, and 
gained at every point where there was not an over- 
whelming disparity of numbers. 

Although Gen. Grant was not personally present 
at this first assault, yet it was made under his direc- 
tion ; and the influence of his valor on former occa- 
sions inspirited the command. Every officer and 
man, without exception, acquitted himself with 
honor to the country. The movement was part of a 
combined one, and, as far as it progressed, accom- 
plished all the commanding general had in view. 
Several important points of the rebels in the rear of 
the city were captured, their means of transportation 
largely destroyed, their much vaunted works boldly 
attacked and shown to be assailable ; and our troops 
retired to their assigned positions in good spirits. 

At the proper moment Gen. Grant came again ac- 
tively into the field. Two of the largest and most ef- 



COLORED TROOPS — THE PROCLAMATION. 181 

fective army corps, the Thirteenth and Fifteenth, were 
ordered by President Lincoln to report directly to 
Grant. This materially increased his strength, and 
prepared him more effectively for direct and persist- 
ent operations. Several attacks followed on posts in 
the vicinity, by both the army and navy ; and the 
work of preparing for the grand future assault went 
steadily forward. The great combinations of the 
active and organizing mind of Grant pressed on to 
their consummation. 

By the month of January, 1863, the whole plan 
had been formed. Cavalry operations were now con- 
tinually going on , with success . The superior general- 
ship of Grant was manifest in every movement he 
made. The officers and soldiers everywhere felt 
and showed by their spirit and discipline that under 
such a leader they could not fail of a final victory. 
All classes united to do him honor. His course 
toward the colored troops was such that they were 
drawn to his standard readily ; and, when under it, 
they were made welcome, as Jackson had welcomed 
such men in the service of the country for the defence 
of New Orleans, in 1812. The victory at Arkansas 
Post had shown the utility of these troops, as a 
fi^htin^ element. In the course of the month of 
January, 1863, he issued a general order to sustain 
the emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln, 
and to promote the enlistment of colored- regiments. 

In his comprehensive order on this important 



182 THE TANNER-BOY. 

national movement Grant directs corps, division and 
post commanders to afford all the facilities in their 
power for the organization of colored troops into regi- 
ments and brigades. Commissaries were promptly 
to issue the necessary supplies, in full, and quarter- 
masters to furnish stores, on the same requisitions and 
returns as were required from other troops. All com- 
manders were expected, especially, to exert them- 
selves in carrying out the policy of the Government, 
not only in organizing colored regiments, and render- 
ing them efficient, but, also, in removing all prejudices 
against them. 

There are the best of reasons for recording in these 
historical pages the fact that Gen. Grant has always 
been in favor of paying to colored soldiers the same 
wages that are paid to all other troops. 



There was a change made in his general base of 
operations, on the 29th of January, 1863. With 
his usual activity he accompanied his own immediate 
forces to the field. No matter how humble his head- 
quarters were, if he were but surrounded by his 
chosen troops, and constantly pushing on his brave 
columns. Located at Young's Point, Louisiana, he 
was in constant communication with the remaining 
fleet, and could command the entire field of opera- 
tions. Making himself more and more thoroughly 
master of the situation, he ascertained exactly the con- 



PREPARES FOR ASSAULT. 183 

dition of the fortifications at Vicksburg. He was de- 
termined to flank the works on the south side. The 
principal obstacle was the transportation of his troops 
from one base to the other. Above and below the river 
was in a state of complete blockade. No advance could 
be made from New Orleans by reason of the works 
at Port Hudson, nor from above on account of those 
at Walnut Hills. If he could have opened the canal 
commenced by his direction, the work could have been 
done. But this, in consequence of the wintry rise of 
the river, fed by the heavy rains and melting snows 
of the north, was rendered impossible. Sufficiently 
large details of his men could not be spared from 
active duty for the purpose, and it was abandoned. 
The development of this work, however, shows the 
grasp of the fertile and practical genius of Grant; 
and that, under such circumstances as he might com- 
mand, success would be sure to follow. 

Early in February, 1863, he determined on com- 
mencing certain active operations. The utmost se- 
crecy was everywhere enjoined. All persons not 
actually employed by the Government were positive- 
ly excluded from his lines. No flag of truce was 
allowed to pass the outposts. All messages sent 
in under a flag were stopped at the lines, receipted 
for by an appropriate officer, and the flag-bearer 
ordered to return immediately. The answers to such 
messages were returned under our own flags of truce. 
In addition to this all non-commissioned officers and 



184 THE TANNER-BOY. ' 

soldiers found one mile from camp, without written 
permission, were at once court martialed. Any 
officer or soldier found away from his quarters, with- 
out leave, any sentinel detected sleeping on his post, 
any officer or soldier quitting his guard, was to be 
promptly punished. 

This was the army discipline of Gen. Grant. He 
felt his responsibility in all its force, and determined 
that no one, no matter who, should trifle with it. He 
persevered with his rigid orders until all under him 
saw that he was deeply in earnest, and that some 
movement of unusual importance was in progress. 
The rebels sent out their guerilla bands ; they at- 
tempted to molest his boats and transports on the 
river ; but they could not^and did not change his pur- 
pose. The Mississippi was to be recovered to free 
navigation, — Vicksburg, its blockading battery, was 
to fall. 

By careful engineering, in the most secret manner, 
Grant became convinced that a water passage for 
troops, munitions of war and provisions, could be 
forced through some of the adjacent tributary waters, 
so as to admit vessels to enter the river. This was 
one of the boldest military conceptions of modern 
times. While the rebels sneered at his vigorous 
work on the Williams Canal, he bore their taunts in 
silence, and persevered. So as they received his pur- 
pose of steering through the wooded passes of the 
swamp country with shouts of contempt, he calmly 



MOVES ON THE WORKS. 185 

set himself about the work, in his own time, and in 
his own way. 

The blockade difficulties under which he labored are" 
almost indescribable. We record them here, as we 
have recorded the preceding facts, with all the pre- 
cision of history, in order that we n$ay do justice to 
this extraordinary man. 



16 






CHAPTER XXII. 

NAVIGATING THE WOODS. 

" "VYTERE you with Grant, Major, in his wonder- 
t T ful navigation of the woods ? " we inquired 
of Major Penniman, as he had brought us thus far on 
our way in this history of our hero. 

"I was," courteously replied the Major, crossing 
his wooden leg over the other. Now the Major 
had lost this leg when he was a private, under young 
Lieutenant Grant, on the Rio Grande, in Texas. 
Whenever the name, of Grant was mentioned, in 
connection with any great or daring expedition, he 
always gave his artificial limb an extra flourish, and 
drew himself up to his highest altitude. 

" I was with Grant," continued the Major, " and I 
am proud of it. I was with him among the passes 
and bayous he encountered in the Mexican campaign, 
and had learned a great deal about the Upper as well 
as the Lower Mississippi. 

"'Major Penniman,' said the General to me one 

day, in the month of February, '63, *I want you 

to go with Colonel Pride and Captain Prime, two of 

my best engineers, through the waters of the woods 

[186] 



NAVIGATING THE WOODS. 187 

that lead into the river. I am determined, Major/ 
added he, looking as firm as a rock, f to get my men 
and munitions just where I want them. You must 
go, Major. They can and shall be brought through.' 

" Of course I went ; for I saw he was as fixed as 
Gibraltar in his plan. There is no turning Grant 
when he gets set on any thing. So I promptly 
joined this secret expedition." 

K But, Major, what is a bayou ? " inquired one of 
our family, who happened, with others, to be present. 
"I have heard you speak of it several times, but I 
don't exactly understand it." 

This question was thus politely asked by a young 
brother Kobert, who had been following the Major 
very attentively, from day to day. 

"Yes, Major," chimed in Master Ned, whose great 
blue eyes were swimming with the interest he took in 
the matter. " Do tell us about the bayous in those 
dark woods, that the Union navy and army went so 
bravely through." 

"And the passes in the swamps, Major," added 
Tom, his dark eye sparkling as he spoke. "Tell 
us all about them, and how our brave boys got 
out of them." 

There is this difference, resumed the Major, when 
silence was restored, between a Pass and a Bayou. 
A pass is a current flowing in from a running stream 
through the adjacent country; and that after passing 
woods, and swamps, and meadow-lands, comes into 



188 THE TANNER-BOY. 

the same river again, at some other point, lower 
down the main channel. A bayou is a sheet of water 
that flows out of a river, or lake, into a bend of the 
land, where it remains nearly stationary ; rising and 
falling as the tides rise and fall in the river, or being 
lower or higher, as the freshets are high or the river 
is low. There are many of these water passes 
and bayous connected with the great Mississippi 
river. The word bayou is pronounced by the 
French ? bioo,' and means a channel. Several of the 
bayous from Lake Pontchartrain, near New Orleans, 
and from the Gulf of Mexico, are very important 
channels to the interior country, and afford great 
facilities to commercial intercourse. 

It was determined by Gen. Grant that he would 
avail himself of these half-hidden and difficult means 
of navigation, in spite of the unnatural blockade of 
the Mississippi, at Vicksburg. His practical engi- 
neers had reported, in reply to his order for a recon- 
noissance, that the rjlan was feasible. With his 
usual promptness, therefore, he at once set about the 
work. The water parts of the adjacent woods were 
to be navigated, Vicksburg surrounded, and the en- 
slaved Mississippi set free. To divert the attention 
of the enemy from Iris real plans he set a body of his 
men at work on the canal between the river and Lake 
Providence, which was connected with the navigable 
waters of Bayous Baxter and Macon. At this point 
the river is higher than the lake. The water, there- 



NAVIGATING THE WOODS. 189 

fore, flows steadily down, at its usual rate of about 
four miles an hour. The shape of the lake is that of 
a half-moon, the outer circle of which approaches 
near the river. Here it was proposed to cut the 
canal ; so that a highway could be made through 
the lake and bayous, from seventy five miles above 
Vicksburg into the rivers below, which empty them- 
selves into the Mississippi. By this water communi- 
cation, all out of the reach of the enemy's guns, a 
connection could be formed between Grant and 
Banks, the. last named General having at this time 
invested Port Hudson, and commenced active meas- 
ures for its capture. Grant moved down a portion 
of his forces, in alliance with this strategy of engi- 
neering, occupied the points he had already chosen, 
and passed several steamers and barges loaded with 
troops and provisions through the way of Lake 
Providence. The chief objects of the General in the 
prosecution of this movement were to occupy his 
troops and blind the enemy — both of which objects 
he accomplished effectively. 

But the grand interior expedition of all was the 
navigation by Union steamers of the Yazoo Pass. 
This was begun in the month of February, 1863. 
For a long series of years this Pass had been neg- 
lected, until it had become as wild and dreary, as 
desolate and forsaken, as the Lake of the Dismal 
Swamp. No boat had for a great while entered its 
dark and turgid waters. They were so thickly cov- 



190 THE TANNER-BOY. 

ered with woods, where the rank mosses hung down 
in long and damp festoons of gloomy grandeur, that 
the sunlight of heaven but rarely visited their dismal 
shades. 

Through tins almost forgotten Pass it was pro- 
posed to send a body of troops in light draught 
steamers to the Yazoo river, where the enemy had 
located, in fancied security, several of their trans- 
ports. They had never imagined that the Union 
commander would attempt the navigation of such a 
forsaken water. But they had not calculated on the 
genius and energy of Grant. When, therefore, his 
engineers removed certain obstructions, in certain 
places, he found the navigation more free than was 
anticipated. 

On February 24th, 1863, the levee of the Missis- 
sippi that had closed up the entrance to the Yazoo 
Pass was torn away, and the vessels chosen for the 
difficult enterprise entered boldly in. It was the 
most extraordinary work of the kind ever performed. 
The distance of the Pass was a little over twenty 
miles ; and to travel this the expedition consumed 
nearly four days ! The profound silence of the deso- 
late spot was awful. It was like the jungles of 
India, filled with water. The sluggish stream wound 
its slow way along, like a wearied anaconda; now 
turning to the left, now to the right ; never having, 
in any one place, a uniform length of over one hun- 
dred feet. Vessels, within a few yards of each 



NAVIGATING THE WOODS. 191 

other, would be going directly opposite courses, in 
the same stream, at the same moment of time, and 
all trying to get out ! Enormous trees lined the 
slimy morasses ; the gloomy cypress, for ever weep- 
ing ; the sycamore, green and slippery ; the gigantic 
cotton-wood, blossoming with hoary locks of decay, 
and stooping down with its accumulated burden of 
tangled vines and weeds ; while beneath the drip- 
ping arches the dark stream moved dreamily on, 
like a tired snake lazily moving its aged joints and 
yet pursuing its prey. 

Our brave boys passed steadily onward. Al- 
though the rebels had savagely prophesied the certain 
destruction of every vessel engaged in this hazardous 
enterprise they succeeded in getting through, where 
steamers and armed troops had never gone before. 
They reached a point near the Yazoo river, where 
they engaged a part of the enemy's forces, who had 
been sent from Vicksburg to attack them. The sur- 
prise of the rebels on meeting us there was very 
great. They could scarcely believe their own eyes — 
that we should have brought steamers and artillery 
through such a pass. 

The object of the expedition was all accomplished. 
It disconcerted the rebels. It convinced them that 
Grant would give them no rest until Vicksburg had 
fallen. 

Meanwhile, he went forward with his other plans. 
In March, 1863, he moved from Young's Point, on 



192 THE TANNER-BOY. 

the Mississippi, to co-operate with Admiral Porter in 
advancing through Steele's Bayou. So much impeded 
was this water, like the Yazoo Pass, that the army- 
pioneers had to cut down large trees and overhanging 
branches to enable the navy vessels to proceed. 
The rebels were so confident this Bayou was inac- 
cessible to the Union forces that they had quietly 
remained on some of its inner banks, cultivating 
their fields and living at their ease on the fat of the 
land. They dreamed only of cotton crops, fruits and 
vegetables ; of patriarchal sway over negroes ; bar- 
baric chivalry and Southern independence. When, 
therefore, at the dead hour of the night, they were 
awakened by the plash of steamers, the low move- 
ment of machinery, the passage of transports, and 
saw by the lights on board that the Union fleet was 
indeed upon them, their sudden alarm can be better 
imagined than described. The infernal Yankee iron 
clads were in the enclosures of their oriental gardens ! 
The accursed f rams ' of the Union army were butting 
down their sacred dwellings ! 

By means of floating bridges the smaller bayous 
were crossed, the adjacent heights scaled, and the 
important fact established that the Yazoo river could 
be reached in that direction, and then the Missis- 
sippi. Gen. Grant received regular despatches of 
the progress of the expedition. Not a moment was 
lost. Sherman and Porter, with their wonted ac- 
tivity, pressed on, at every point. 



BAYOU FIGHTING. * 193 

On the 21st of February we had passed well 
down to the expected spot, when the enemy, taken 
again by surprise, dashed in with a large force from 
the Yazoo river. The fleet was well-nigh surround- 
ed. At seven o'clock, on the morning of the 2 2d 
of .February, Gen. Sherman received a despatch from 
Admiral Porter — brought by the hands of a faith- 
ful man of color who had travelled all night to steal 
his way through the rebel lines — and immediately 
marched to the point of attack. The creek in which 
the fleet then was scarcely admitted the passage of a 
gunboat — and the rebels were close aboard them, with 
a picked force of five thousand men — infantry, cav- 
alry and artillery. Only one bow gun apiece could 
be used by the naval vessels. The rebels debouched 
through the woods, and rushed on to the attack as 
if sure of their prey. At that moment Grant's 
troops dashed in upon them from a neighboring 
height, taking them by surprise, and driving them 
off the ground. 

The expedition, as far as it went, was a success. 
The hidden storehouse of the enemy in that section 
was unlocked. Large supplies were obtained for 
our forces. Cotton, cotton gins, corn, cattle and 
machinery were captured, and rendered subservient 
to the good Union cause. 

" But, Major ! " said one of our boy-circle, inter- 
rupting the story for a moment, " I have heard you 

17 



194 THE TANNER-BOY. 

speak several times of the 'cotton gin.' What do 
you mean by it?" 

" Did you suppose I meant by f gin ' something to 
drink, my son ? " 

" Why, no sir ; not that, exactly ; because I knew 
that cotton is not an article to be drunk. I could 
not tell what you meant." 

"Well, my boy, a e cotton gin' means a cotton 
engine — a machine for cleaning cotton of its seeds, 
pieces of stalk, dirt, and other impurities. c Gin' 
is an abreviation of f engine.' This useful invention 
was first made by a native of the state of Connecti- 
cut, Mr. Eli Whitney, in the year 1793. But by 
the wickedness of the people who kept then fellow- 
beings in slavery at the South, and who are the sole 
cause of this barbarous rebellion, he was cheated out 
of nearly all the profits of his invention, after it had 
been the means of adding hundreds of millions of 
dollars to their wealth." 

" That ivas wicked, Major." 

" Yes ; but it is by no means the greatest wicked- 
ness this rebellion has done. It is wicked all over ; 
and we must put it down, my boy ! We must put 
it down for ever ! " cried the Major, as he brought 
the stump of the wooden leg with decision on the 
floor. 

We told the old patriot we thought so, too. 
"But," said he, calmly interposing, "we must let 
Gen. Grant attend to the rebels. He will take care 



CARES FOR THE SICK. 195 

of them. Let us go on with our story of his 
life." 

The expedition returned in safety from Steele's 
Bayou, having secured all its expected results. The 
Commanding General had made several important 
discoveries, as he anticipated, and was, therefore, the 
better prepared for the prosecution of his future 
plans. 

The general was annoyed, as other commanding 
officers frequently are, with reports respecting the 
sanitary condition of the army. No surer method 
can be found to discourage enlistments at home or to 
demoralize men in the field, than to set afloat rumors 
that the health of the troops is neglected. Gen. 
Grant always felt the full force of this fact in mili- 
tary affairs ; and he was glad, therefore, to avail 
himself of the powerful aid of that most useful aux- 
iliary body — the United States Sanitary Commis- 
sion. His location near Vicksburg, and among the 
lowlands in that region, exposed him to many ma- 
larial diseases ; but his precautions were such that 
the condition of his troops when his careful regula- 
tions were followed was always satisfactory. 

A great deal was said by traitorous parties and 
their base allies to create unfavorable impressions 
with regard to the sanitary condition of his troops. 
He therefore took the earliest opportunity to show 
his care for them by bringing the Sanitary Commis- 
sion to his aid. His orders with reference to this 



196 THE TANNER-BOY. 

subject are models of precision and humanity. He 
saw in person that the Purveyor's Department sup- 
plied abundantly every thing needed by the sick. 
In many instances the soldiers were much more care- 
fully furnished in this respect than they could have 
been at home. 

The rebels — humane friends as they were ! — had 
most earnestly hoped it would be otherwise with 
Grant and his army. The more of them could 
possibly die by disease and neglect the better they 
were pleased. 

" Shall I tell you that I'm all o'while a-praying for 
your folks, down to New Orleens?" coolly inquired 
a rebel woman of us, one clay. 

"Indeed, madam, I am glad to see you exhibit 
such a Christian spirit." 

" O ! yaas ! I'm a-praying the old ' Yaller Jack '. 
may catch 'em all ! " 

" That is — you are offering a prayer to God that 
your countrymen may all be destroyed at New 
Orleans with the yellow fever?" 

" Yaas ! " said she, as her mouth opened wide with 
a grin. Of which opportunity she availed herself to 
swab her gums with snuff. 

Gen. Grant was well aware of the existence of 
this spirit among our cruel enemies ; and he there- 
fore took every necessary precaution. When the 
Sanitary Commission boats arrived he at once bade 
them a hearty welcome, and placed them in charge 



grteepon's expedition. 197 

of competent patties. No person was allowed to 
travel On them not immediately connected with their 
benevolent mission. All packages shipped on board 
were carefully inspected, by his direct orders, and 
placed in safe hands. Weekly statements of their 
conditions were required, and other ample provisions 
made for the physical and moral benefit of his men. 
He had been a soldier himself, in a sickly country, 
and he knew well how to feel for our suffering coun- 
trymen in arms. 

Thus prepared, at all points, Gen. Grant deter- 
mined to bring more transports, with troops and 
munitions, to his chosen points on the Mississippi. 
The appointed hour for the great assault drew nigh. 

On the 29th of March, 1863, he moved his forces 
down the Louisiana shore, so as to take Vicksburg 
in the rear. Tins had been his settled purpose from 
the first ; but he had veiled it so adroitly, he had 
moved in its prosecution with so much caution, that 
not only the enemy but his own immediate com- 
mand were unaware of his intention. The fleet 
was doing its part well, above and below the doomed 
city. Grant and his army were constantly on the 
move. An expedition was planned for purposes of 
discovery and forage under the lead of Col. Grier- 
son, which, for boldness of conception, secrecy, 
strategy and brilliancy of execution, has never been 
excelled by any military movement of the kind in the 
world. This remarkable rcconnoissance was wholly 




198 THE TANNER-BOY. 

designed by Grant, for the purpose of ascertaining 
the numbers and positions of the enemy who might 
advance on his own rear when he should have in- 
vested Vicksburg. Grierson swept down through 
the region assigned him by Grant with the First 
Brigade of Cavalry, leaving La Grange, Tennessee, 
at two o'clock in the morning of the 17th of April, 
1863. His marches were rapid through Mississippi, 
leading across rivers and morasses, driving the rebels 
before him, at every point, until, on the evening of 
the 19th he had reached Pontotoc. From that 
place he detached a part of his command back to La 
Grange, ordering his men to make as much noise as 
possible on their march — thus deceiving the rebels 
with the idea that the whole expedition was at an 
end. This stroke of strategy was completely suc- 
cessful. 

A portion of the main force proceeded the ensuing 
day to lay waste the communications of the enemy, 
by the way of the Mobile and Ohio Eailroad. This 
was effectually accomplished ; and by an attack of 
this body on Columbus the whole of the rest of the 
main line passed on its way, with a fresh start of 
three days. A bayou of the Dismal Swamp lying 
in that region was swam by a squadron of Grierson's 
horsemen, to a point where they reached and de- 
stroyed a large rebel tannery and stock of boots and 
shoes for the army. Deep rivers and blind marshes 
had to be crossed, without the aid of a friendly 



geierson's expedition. 199 

guide. The whole country was in the hands of the 
enemy. The horses sank in the low morasses, and 
were left to perish by the way. Night and storm 
gathered around the daring band, with no friendly 
cottage to bid them welcome with light and shelter. 
They pressed onward. Respecting private property 
in all cases, as the gallant and chivalrous Grant had 
ordered, they reached the Southern Railroad, at De- 
catur, at daylight of the morning of the 24th of 
April, I860. At this point two whole trains of cars, 
thirty eight in number, containing quartermaster, 
commissary and ordnance stores for the rebel army, 
were captured and destroyed. 

Passing on, with even increased rapidity, he at- 
tacked the Hazlehurst station of the Jackson and 
New Orleans Railroad, destroying over forty cars, in 
which were loaded at the time an immense supply 
of rebel shell, ammunition and war rations. At 
Gallatin a thirty two pounder rifled gun which the 
rebels were hauling toward the fortifications at Vicks- 
burg was spiked and left all useless in the road. 
Rebel government property of all kinds was swept 
away before him. At Brookhaven, on the morning 
of April 28th, he captured a camp of instruction — in 
which about five hundred tents and a large supply 
of small arms were consumed. All the bridges he 
could reach and all the public property of the rebels 
were rendered useless as he marched on ; until, 
about noon of Friday, the first of May, the inhabit- 



200 THE TANNER-BOY. 

ants of Baton Kouge, the capital of Louisiana, were 
startled with the new's that a brigade of cavalry, from 
the victorious army of Gen. Grant, was just upon 
them ! While the astounding intelligence was being 
spread from mouth to mouth Grierson and his heroic 
band entered the city, amid the shouts of assembled 
thousands. 



CHAPTEE XXni. 

CAPTURE OF VICKSBURG. 

GEANT had now obtained all the information he 
could expect with regard to the interior posi- 
tion of the enemy. The demonstrations by the fleet 
on the river were successful at all points. In one 
of these engagements the general was present in per- 
son on board a gunboat in the middle of the stream, 
ready at a moment's warning to move his forces in 
the appointed direction. 

Grant's orders were that there should not be a 
delay of an hour. Up to this time his point of at- 
tack was a profound secret. To the immediate sur- 
prise of the enemy, and to the ultimate surprise of 
the whole country, from President Lincoln down, it 
proved to be a little place on the Mississippi, called 
« Bruinsburg.' It was on the Vicksburg side of the 
river. Three days' rations were distributed to the 
troops, with the accompanying order from Gen. 
Grant: "The Bluffs must be taken before sun- 
down." 

Every thing in the command was in the lightest 
possible marching order. The general set the ex- 

[201] 



202 THE TANNER-BOY. 

ample by taking with him nothing in the shape of 
baggage but a brier-wood field glass and a tooth 
brush. The reason for his carrying this last named 
article is reported by Major Penniman to be that he 
intended to show his teeth to the enemy. However 
this may be, it is certain he took no other articles of 
baggage — neither horse, nor servant, nor blanket, 
nor camp chest, nor tent. He shared all their hard- 
ships with his gallant soldiers. Their rations were 
the same as his ; and where they slept on the ground 
he slept beside them. With courage, and knowl- 
edge, and sufficient troops and arms to back him, is it 
any wonder such a man conquers ? 

The march on Bruinsburg was commenced at day- 
light, of the first of May, 1863. As the rays of the 
sun came glistening along the waters of the Missis- 
sippi the whole column was in motion. From 
Bruinsburg the route lay to the hills that extend from 
Grand Gulf to Vicksburg — terminating in that 
range of cliffs and gullies, which, for difficulty of 
access, for roughness of surface, for impregnability 
from assault, cast the hills around Sebastopol far into 
the shade. At the distance of six miles from the river, 
as the troops of Grant wound along their devious 
path among the abrupt declivities and vine-covered 
jungles, where the wild magnolia blossomed in the 
morning light and poured its fragrance on the air, 
the boom of cannon might be heard in the distance. 
It was the beginning of the fight. The attack was 



BRUINSBURG. 203 

first made on Grand Gulf, which was carried by our 
boys with a shout, at the point of the bayonet. Port 
Gibson, the next post, was soon reached and cap- 
tured. 

On the morning of May 2d, just as the day broke, 
the enemy fled in disgrace. We entered Port Gibson 
with flying colors, and pushed on at once to the 
banks of the Big Black River. Grant's movements 
were so rapid that before the enemy could concen- 
trate he was within eighteen miles of the rear of the 
great stronghold. Without stopping a moment, as 
some inferior men would have done for such an escort 
as they might vainly suppose due their rank, Grant 
dashed on instantly with a little band of fifteen men 
to Grand Gulf. From this point he telegraphed the 
government in his usual modest manner that he had 
landed at Bruinsburg according to his plans ; pos- 
sessed Port Gibson and Grand Gulf, — the enemy re- 
tiring at all points ; and was now, " very respectfully," 
on a short journey to Yicksburg. 

The picked army of the rebels in that region was 
considered by them to be invincible. But at the 
approach of Grant it scattered in all directions through 
the adjacent woods, leaving cannon, muskets, pro- 
visions and clothing in their hasty retreat. The 
victory over them was complete, and one of the most 
important in its results then won at the West. A 
far greater victory was just at hand. Vicksburg was 
to be ours. 



204 THE TANNER-BOY. 

The remarkable strategy of Grant continued to 
show itself in all directions. At Chattanooga and 
Richmond, as well as at Vicksburg, the enemy was 
deceived. He struck at the very time and at the 
very place where they did not expect him. Even the 
President of the United States, the Commander-in- 
Chief of the Army and Navy, was so much in the dark 
as to these shrewd plans of Grant, that, when they 
were consummated, he addressed the general a letter 
on the subject, expressing his surprise at the sudden 
movement and tendering his gratitude and admiration 
at the result. 

Feint succeeded feint. The rebels were utterly 
lost in bewilderment as to what Grant's plans really 
were. The documents that fell into their hands only 
tended to lead them more and more astray. The 
movements between the Commanding General on the 
land and the Admiral in the river were all mutually 
well understood. They worked in harmony together, 
as all real heroes and truly great men always will, 
each anxious, above all things else, for the welfare 
and glory of their country. 

Thus matters stood at the time of the landing at 
Bruinsburg. Grant was present on all occasions of 
importance, superintending every movement in per- 
son, and caring for the wants of every soldier. It is 
not surprising, when we see such constant care for 
the shelter, comfort and honor of liis men, that they 
love him as they do. 



FIRST MOVEMENT ON . VICKSBURG. 205 

On the 7th of May, 1863, the great advance was 
ordered. The General availed himself of the occasion 
to address his troops.- His language, as usual with 
him, was plain, direct, and full of feeling. He re- 
minded them of the triumphs they had already won. 
They had passed through them in the midst of storms, 
with incessant labors and severe privations. Not 
a murmur of complaint had escaped them. More 
difficulties and new perils were before them ; other 
battles were to be fought — other victories won ; and 
he concluded by calling on them to remember that 
a grateful country would rejoice at their success, and 
history record it with immortal honor. 

Pushing on toward the rear of Vicksburg, by the 
shortest route, he tersely telegraphs to the War 
Department at Washington : 

"In the Field, 11th of May, 1863. 
" I shall communicate with Grand Gulf no more. You 
may not hear from me again for several days." 

How much of true chivalry, of heroic adventure, 
of courageous endurance, is garnered up in these few 
words ! He was bound for Vicksburg, and should 
not stop short of it. 

The first response to this brief announcement was 
the capture of the important post of Jackson, Mis- 
sissippi — the capital of that rebel State — near 
the former home of the arch-traitor of all — Jefferson 
Davis. The announcement of this auspicious event, 



206 THE TANNER-BOY. 

which took place in four days after the time he had 
said he might not soon be heard from, was made in 
a despatch of four lines. 

On entering the town a conqueror the same high- 
minded course he had ever pursued with regard 
to private property was strictly adhered to. Every 
thing belonging to the enemy of ^ public nature was 
destroyed, but the personal rights of citizens were 
rigidly protected. His possession of the capital was 
complete, and afforded him much valuable informa- 
tion. He was always in the vicinity of his troops, 
directing every movement in person. All the suc- 
cessful measures were in strict accordance with his 
plans, based on information which no one but him- 
self had possessed. But his associates* received their 
full share of credit. 

The next march was from Jackson to Bolton. 
At every point his skill provided for every emergency. 
Bridges, pontoon trains, supplies of all kinds, were 
gathered under his immediate direction ; so that when 
his generals arrived at each designated spot each one 
found every thing Grant had promised in readiness. 

A strong position of the enemy at Big Black 
River Bridge was soon carried, and the victorious 
column moved on. When the morning of the 19tb 
of May broke over the hills and streamed along the 
waters of the Mississippi, Gen. Grant, with all his 
united force, was within striking distance of Vicks- 
burg and the city invested. Thus silently and quickly 



INVESTMENT OF VICKSBURG. 207 

* 

had been achieved one of the most masterly strokes 
of strategy in modern times. 

The rebels fell back within their works as our 
army advanced. Passing through deep ravines, over 
thick masses of felled timber, in face of the enemy's 
fire, the Thirteenth United-States Infantry planted 
the colors on the exterior trenches of the enemy. 
The whole area of the rebel works now came into 
view. They consisted of a series of redoubts, ar- 
ranged with great skill, extending all the way around 
the rear of the city, for a distance of ten miles. 
Every redoubt was so posted as to sweep the crest 
of every hill, and enfilade every valley. There was 
not a loophole of entrance the whole vast semicircle 
around. 

Grant had now reached his desired point. He 
immediately opened communication with the fleet 
below, and his base of supplies above. Every move- 
ment of the ships was made at the suggestion of the 
General. . The firing in the rear of the city informed 
Admiral Porter, on board his flag-ship, that Grant 
was approaching Vicksburg. At the same moment 
he discovered that the strategy of Grant, in detailing 
Sherman to certain posts of the enemy, had prevent- 
ed the rebels from sending in any more re-enforce- 
ments. The unexpected arrival of Grant was the 
signal for the desertion by the enemy of all their 
adjacent strongholds. A net work of defences at 
Haines Bluff covering an area of a mile and a quar- 



208 THE TANNER-BOY. 

ter, and containing fourteen of the heaviest kinds of 
eioht and ten inch and seven and a half inch rifled 
guns, with ammunition enough to stand a long siege, 
fell into our hands. The best commanding points of 
investment were occupied, and the rebels beaten at 
all points, by these rapid, patient, persevering move- 
ments of Grant. 

On the 24st of May, 1863, another movement 
followed. In order to test the condition of the 
fortress, and to save the necessity of large re-enforce- 
ments for the prosecution of a long siege, Gen. 
Grant determined on an immediate assault. It was 
therefore made on the following morning, by the 
entire force of his army. Promptly at the hour 
designated by him every man sprang to his post, at 
quick time, with bayonet fixed, and marched imme- 
diately on the enemy's works. It was a terrific, 
assault. The soldiers rushed forward with dauntless 
valor, while the fleet kept up a continual bombard- 
ment from the river. From every hill top our 
cannon belched their thunder, and the intervening 
valleys bristled with fixed bayonets. The base of 
the ramparts was reached, and the flag of the nation 
planted in the face of the rebel fort. Breaches were 
made in some of the outer embankments, and our 
brave boys marched boldly in. Gen. Grant rode 
over all the ground, inspecting every point, and 
issuing his orders with all the calmness and precision 
peculiar to his character. 



FIRST VICKSBURG ASSAULT. 209 

The assault was a success. It advanced our 
troops to the exact point of the enemy's works that 
Grant intended to reach. There he held them. He 
had come to the spot for the proposed siege of Vicks- 
burg, and he was now ready to begin it. He had 
come to take the city, and take it he would. The 
confidence reposed in him by his gallant army was 
implicit, and their enthusiasm in his service un- 
bounded. With the utmost alacrity and energy they 
devoted their entire strength to the siege. By 
means of intercepted communications it was ascer- 
tained that the enemy had fifteen thousand men in 
Vicksburg, and rations for thirty days — one meal a 
day — and that his only hope of deliverance from his 
stronghold was in the attack on Grant by a strong 
rebel force in his rear. 

Having made this and other important discoveries 
the General set his sappers and miners at work, for 
the purpose of digging under the outer embankments 
of the fort and obtaining an entrance by an explo- 
sion. Meanwhile, to prevent any successful attack 
from the rear, Grant increased his siege forces by 
nearly twenty thousand fresh troops. "The mining 
pressed steadily on. By the middle of June the work 
so far advanced that the mines were dug in several 
places, and protected by large guns against all in- 
terference from the enemy. Not the remotest sus- 
picion existed in the city as to the extent of our 
mining under its forts. The parapet of the rebels 

18 



210 THE TANNER-BOY. 

was distant only about twenty feet from the mouth 
of our mine. ■ Yet this mouth was so hidden and 
guarded that the enemy had no idea of what was 
going on just before him. From the opening of the 
mine to where the main gallery branched off under 
ground the distance was thirty-five feet. Here 
three other galleries were formed, one ten and two 
eight feet deep, in which the powder for explosion 
was placed at the bottom of the shaft. The whole 
quantity used was twenty-two hundred pounds. A 
fuze was then run out to the mouth of the shaft, and, 
at the appointed signal, the match was to be applied. 
The explosion was fixed for the 25th of June, 1863. 
The troops were all withdrawn from the outer works. 
One brigade was ordered under arms, and marched 
as near the front as safety would permit. The signal 
came ! A cold chill ran, like a shudder, along the 
living line of men. The bayonets of thousands of 
muskets glistened in the western sun. Not a word 
was spoken. A little puff of white smoke ! Another. 
Five minutes — they seemed almost an age — rolled 
away. The smoke increases. A flash of fire — and 
the explosion ! The air is filled with the hurtled 
fragments of earth, timber and dust, rising and 
sweeping like a black cloud through the air, at a 
height of eighty feet. In a moment more the whole 
mass falls crushing to the earth with a shock like 
thunder ; and, as the smoke clears away, the chasm 
in the fort is revealed. Now is the moment for the 



EXPLODING A MINE. 211 

charge. With a shout, almost as loud as the explo- 
sion, the troops rush into the yawning jaws of the 
shattered parapet, springing up the jagged cliffs and 
firing as they go. Volley after volley leaps up from 
the new-made gulf below ; volley after volley dives 
down from the new-made capes above. A portion of 
our impetuous troops had forced their way in through 
the passage, and, as the signal came, the artillery 
opened along the entire line. The deep baying of the 
dogs of war was like the thunder muttering in the dis- 
tance. The bursting of shells, the rattling of mus- 
ketry, the shriek of Minnie balls, the whir of solid 
shot, mingled with the deep roar of the great cannon 
and mortars of the fleet, gave the scene an aspect of 
awful grandeur. 

The explosion had thrown out the earth in such a 
way that it formed a space for the protection and 
play of artillery. Gen. Grant was present all the time 
issuing his orders. By his command a division of 
troops was kept under arms all night, ready for any 
emergency. He enjoined the utmost vigilance along 
the whole line. 

It was now the 28th of June, and our troops had 
advanced thirteen hundred yards nearer the enemy's 
breastwork than they were when they commenced the 
siege. Grant was perfectly confident of success. It 
was a specimen of tanner-boy energy on a large 
scale — and again, as so often before, the word "can't" 
was not in his dictionary. Vicksburg was to fall. 



212 THE TANKER-BOY. 

How glorious to have it fall on the then ensuing 
Fourth of July ! Let us wait and see. 

On the evening of the 3d of July, 1863, there 
were unmistakable indications that the rebels were 
about to yield. Gen. Grant received these indica- 
tions with great pleasure. From the moment of his 
forming the settled and determined purpose to cap- 
ture Vicksburg he desired to do the work, great as it 
was, at as little sacrifice as possible of human life. 
He was in no way responsible for the retention by 
the rebel general of the women and children in the 
city. He had acted throughout the entire siege on 
the highest considerations of duty and humanity. 

At the same time he gave it to be distinctly under- 
stood that if the rebel works were not soon surren- 
dered they would be captured by assault. 

On the morning of the 3d of July a flag of truce 
reached the headquarters of Gen. Grant with a pro- 
posal for the appointment of commissioners of treaty 
from the rebel commander. The reply of the General 
demanded, in his accustomed frank and firm manner, 
the Unconditional Surrender of the Garrison and City 
of Vicksburg ; decidedly adding that he had no other 
terms than these. 

The deed was done. Vicksburg was captured. 
The Mississippi was free. 

As the day advanced an interview was held, just 
outside the rebel works and beyond the Union lines, 
between Gen. Grant and Gen. Pemberton, com- 



■■ ■ ■ 




INTERVIEW WITH PEMBERTON. 



GRANT AND PEMBEPwTON. 213 

mander at Vicksburg. The scene as it occurred is 
depicted in the accompanying engraving. 

The two generals met under the branches of a 
large oak tree. With a noble sense of delicacy which 
does him great honor, Gen. Grant withdrew from his 
attendant generals, in order that his interview with 
the rebel chief might not subject him to unnecessary 
scrutiny and humiliation. What a scene for the 
evening before the memorable 4th of July ! Both 
these men had been born in free States, joining each 
other — Grant in Ohio, Pemberton in Pennsylvania. 
Both had been admitted as cadets into the same mili- 
tary academy of the United States, at West Point. 
Both had served together in the same conquering 
Union army in the fields of Texas and Mexico. Both 
had returned to the same native country to enjoy 
her prosperity and happiness. But here the scene 
had changed. At this point they parted. Grant had 
maintained his integrity to his country, her govern- 
ment and her flag. Pemberton had become a traitor 
to them all ! One was now being exalted to the 
pinnacle of fame by his patriotism, on this natal day 
of his country's independence. The other was hum- 
bled in the dust by the overthrow of his treason, by 
disaster to his traitorous arms, and the unconditional 
surrender of his long-boasted stronghold of the Re- 
bellion. 

Few such scenes as these have ever occurred in 
history. The ground where the two generals stood 



214 THE TANNEE-BOY. 

was covered with beautiful summer verdure. The 
broad realm first trodden by the navigators of Europe 
centuries before, washed by the waves of the great 
Father of Waters, was now opened to the rich bless- 
in srs of freedom. The marks of the recent battles 
were still around them. But the flag of victory 
was also there ; for from the outer ramparts beyond, 
over the troops in the fields and the ships in the Mis- 
sissippi, floated the glorious stars and stripes — now, 
indeed, the emblem of Liberty, Union, and Indepen- 
dence. 

A short pause between the two generals : 

"I meet you, Gen. Grant," said Gen. Pemberton, 
w to negotiate terms in relation to my post. What 
do you demand, sir ? " 

" Unconditional surrender ! " 

" Unconditional, sir ? " 

"Yes, General; unconditional surrender. Noth- 
ing less." 

" Never ! sir. I will continue the fight ! " 

w Then, General, you can do so. I am well pre- 
pared to go on. Since the siege first began my army 
was never in better condition." 

Silence again. 

Gen. Grant is, as usual, cool, calm, collected. 

Gen. Pemberton, as may be supposed, is deeply 
agitated — betraying his emotions by hurrying to 
and fro, snatching at the bushes with quivering 
fingers, and betraying by liis pale and agitated coun- 



VALUE OF THE CAPTURE. 215 

tenance the harrowing anguish of his soul. But his 
delay was in vain. The unconditional surrender 
demanded by Grant was granted by the conquered 
rebel, and he withdrew in silence and in shame to 
perfect the deed. 

The next day witnessed its complete consumma- 
tion on these terms : 

The unconditional surrender from the Eebellion to 
the United States of thirty-four thousand six hundred 
and twenty rebel officers and soldiers. Three hundred 
and one pieces of artillery. Forty-five thousand 
small arms. The free navigation of the Mississippi 
Eiver, from its source to the Gulf of Mexico. 
A good day's work for the tanner-boy ! 
On the morning of the fourth of July, 1863, the 
victorious Grant, amid the thunder of cannon, 
the waving of our national colors, and the patriotic 
strains of our national airs, was ushered within the 
walls of Vicksburg. The whole of the rebel line of 
works was surmounted with white flags. In the 
centre of the garrison the enemy stacked his arms. 
Courteously, generously, our troops marched in ; and 
in the name of the United States of America took 
possession of the vaunted heights where our flag 
now proudly floats, and where we hope it may float 
for ever. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

RENEWED ACTIVITY. 

THE conquest of Vicksburg by Grant was not fol- 
lowed by a moment of inactivity. He at once 
proceeded in the preparation of new campaigns. The 
navigation of the great thoroughfare of waters was 
immediately resumed by the people, and the adjacent 
country began to feel the beneficial result. As far 
as the eye could see along the river the levees were 
lined with steamers in less than four hours after the 
capitulation of the city. Hundreds arrived, from 
above as well as from below, before half the day had 
passed. It was not alone the surrender of nineteen 
rebel Major and Brigadier Generals, over four thou- 
sand field, line and staff officers, thirty thousand sol- 
diers, and all the material force and provisions of the 
garrison and city, that had made the victory of Grant 
so glorious. It was the consequent impulse given to 
the patriotism of the United States, the facilities 
afforded to lawful commerce, and the opportunities 
presented for new and, if possible, still more enlarr3d 
military conquests that cheered the heart and enlisted 
again the active energies of our hero. He had done 
[216] 



N*EW CONQUESTS. 217 

his duty to his country, and done it well. It was a 
good job. The leather was well tanned. 

Now came the moment for new measures. Port 
Hudson had surrendered with the downfall of Vicks- 
burg. The interior was now to be possessed, and 
the°enemy thereby prevented from harassing the 
Union garrison and commerce of the city. On the 
6th of July the forces of Grant, under Sherman, 
returned to Jackson, which had been evacuated by 
us, and where the rebel general Johnston had made 
a stand. The town was repossessed, the enemy being 
driven out by the valor of our troops. Although the 
rebels had worked hard for nearly two months to 
fortify Jackson, yet they failed in defending it, and 
fled before our victorious army. 

Grant had thus fought seven hotly contested bat- 
tles, from the first of May to the tenth of July ; in 
every case winning signal victories. On the four- 
teenth of July he sent an expedition, in conjunction 
with Admiral Porter, up the Yazoo and Red Rivers, 
which resulted in obtaining large supplies of provis- 
ions from "the enemy. But the consequences of all 
these conquests were secured by the continued vigi- 
lance of the General. He was not idle a single 
moment. The country united to thank him. The 
President forwarded him testimonials of his distin- 
guished consideration. Still, from the commencement 
of the war he had not asked a furlough for a day. 
Ever at" his post, ever vigilant, he pursued his patri- 

19 



218 THE TANNEE-BOY. 

otic and arduous labors to secure yet greater successes 
to the Union armies. 

When his brave soldiers, who had been with him in 
so many hard-fought fields, desired to be furloughed, 
he readily granted their requests to the utmost of his 
power. In every instance, like a true hero, he 
watched over their interests as they left for their 
homes. 

"Are you the Captain of this steamer?" asked the 
General, on one of these occasions, as he addressed a, 
person standing on a wheel house at the Vicksburg 
levee. 

"I am, General." 

"Are you about going off?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"How many officers and soldiers have you on 
board?" 

?r About twelve hundred and fifty, sir." 

"What is the average price you charge them, from 
Vicksburg to Cairo, Captain ? " 

"From ten to twenty-five dollars each, General !" 

"Is that all? Very moderate ! — Very moderate, 
Indeed ! From ten to twenty-five dollars each, for 
United States officers and soldiers from Vicksburg 
to Cairo ! 

" See here, Captain ! You may tie up your steam- 
er ^a little while. It seems a great pity you should 
have to transport the boys at such extravagantly low 
prices. You may stop a short time, Captain ! " 



PROTECTS HIS TROOPS. 219 

• 

The steam began to whistle, and the officers and 
men to wonder what it all meant. Meanwhile Gen- 
eral Grant walked quietly to his head quarters, and 
there issued an order for the obliging captain of the 
steamer to pay back all he had received over seven 
dollars each from the officers, and five dollars from 
the men, on pain of having his boat and cargo confis- 
cated to the government. No sooner had the order 
come to the vessel than it was obeyed. Their ex- 
torted money was restored to them ; and with " three 
cheers for Grant ! * the heroes of Vicksburg went on 
their way to visit their friends. 

"A pretty piece of business this, as it stands ! " 
exclaimed the General to one of his staff. "I will 
teach a lesson to these steam pirates, — plundering the 
men who have opened the river for them of their 
hard-earned wages ! The old Mississippi is all free 
to honorable navigation, but not to imposition. No, 
sir, not to imposition, sir, while I am in command 
of Vicksburg ! " 

How exactly was all this honorable proceeding 
like Ulysses Grant ! 

In the prosecution of his duties Gen. Grant made 
a visit to Port Hudson, and other points on the Mis- 
sissippi, down to New Orleans. His object was to 
ascertain the condition of affairs by personal inspec- 
tion, and to prepare the way for those great campaigns 
of the South-west that have been subsequently de- 
veloped through the war. He arrived in the Cres- 



220 THE TANNER-BOY. 

cent City on the 2d of September, 1863, and was 
received, of course, with distinguished honors. It 
was intended by the government that he should take 
command of the united armies of the Ohio, Cumber- 
land and Tennessee, so that they might be massed 
under one commander, and operate in the same 
field. But in consequence of his meeting with an 
accident at New Orleans, by which his health was 
for a time much enfeebled, Grant was compelled for 
a time to decline the honor of this command. After 
suffering much from illness for some weeks, the mo- 
ment he was ready to move he entered again on his 
active duties, and hastened up the Mississippi. His 
energy at this time of physical prostration was won- 
derful. When most other men would have given up 
and laid by, he pressed on in the arduous path of duty. 
Turning gladly from the pomp and pageantry of 
New Orleans, he resumed his work in the Department 
of the Tennessee. It became his province to regulate 
the entire civic military jurisdiction of all the region 
secured to the United States by the conquest of Vicks- 
burg. His first great aim was to keep alive the spirit 
of patriotic ardor in the army. With this view he 
had medals furnished them, inscribed with the names 
of the battle-fields that distinguished their valor. 
Every thing that could inspire the loftiest devotion 
to country was made available, until to be a victorious 
soldier under Grant was esteemed one of the highest 
of military honors. 



MOVES ON CHATTANOOGA. 221 

Early in October, 1863, the troops were put in 
motion. Gen. Grant was now on the move for the 
capture of another stronghold of the enemy, Chatta- 
nooga. 

This now celebrated place is situated in a bend 
of the Tennessee river, in one of the most mountain- 
ous regions of our country. It may well be called 
the Switzerland of America. As a post among pre- 
cipitous ridges of hills, it is capable of being made 
nearly impregnable. The rebels held it as one of 
their strongest bases of operations, and a depot for 
supplies of the greatest importance to their armies 
through all that section. 

The military division here placed in command of 
Grant embraced an area of many thousand square 
miles. The North Chicamauga Kiver flows into the 
Tennessee, near Chattanooga, a few miles above the 
mouth of the South Chicamauga. These and all 
the adjacent streams were in the possession of the 
enemy. His intrenchments were on the lofty heights 
of Lookout Mountain, on the ranges of Missionary 
Kidge, and through all the intervening points that 
could possibly be occupied by his armed men. His 
rifle pits cropped out from every available spot — 
commanding in all directions every approach by land 
and water. Chattanooga was thus the rocky moun- 
tain key to. a large part of the richest, most fruitful 
and most powerful regions of the Rebellion. 

The hour for attacking this mountain fortress had 



222 TIIE TANNER-BOY. 

arrived. The flanks of our army were resting on 
the Tennessee, near the mouths of the Chattanooga 
and Citico. The rebels were strongly intrenched on 
the Missionary Ridge and stretched across the valley 
of the Chattanooga, and around the slopes and sum- 
mits of old Lookout. Our supplies had to be 
brought over precipitous roads, at that season ren- 
dered well-nigh impassable by heavy rains . The Cum- 
berland army had been nearly reduced to the alter- 
native of starvation or retreat ; while the enemy was 
strong in position, provisions and munitions of war. 

At this critical moment Gen. Grant arrives on the 
field. His command now includes the Departments 
of the Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee, and the 
armies of Sherman, Thomas and Burnside. Gen. 
Hooker with a part of the Army of the East had 
previously arrived, and been placed in his designated 
post. The first great movement was now at hand. 
The most noticeable feature in connection with its 
commencement and prosecution is the perfect union 
of effort that existed among the different com- 
manders. There were no jealousies, no rivalries, no 
contentions. Their councils of war were harmonious : 
their movements combined. Hence their final victory. 

After a personal inspection of the spot by Grant 
a lodgement was effected on the left bank of the 
Tennessee, three miles below the base of Lookout 
Mountain. By this strategy a better union of our 
forces was effected at a "point of great importance. 



MOVES ON CHATTANOOGA. 223 

On the night of the 26th of October twelve hundred 
and fifty picked men passed down through the dark- 
ness in boats. Floating in silence arround Moccasin 
Point they landed at Brown's Ferry, only six miles 
from Chattanooga, and directly in front of the rebel 
pickets. The enemy was taken by surprise. Re-en- 
forcements were immediately sent over, and a strong 
position taken. The rebels retreated with cavalry, 
infantry and artillery. By noon of that day a bridge 
of boats, nine hundred feet in length, was thrown 
across the river, and the opposite shores connected. 

With all the Laste possible the rebels retreated to 
their comrades on the western slope of the mountain . 
The plan of attack against them was now combined 
by Grant. The rebel right wing rested on Mission- 
ary Ridge, near the Tunnel on the mountain side. 
At the mouth of the South Chicamauga, on the 
ridge, was an assailable point ; and this Grant de- 
termined to possess. It was a summit of strategy. 

Adopting his policy of landing at Bruinsburg to 
capture Vicksburg, he resolved to throw a bridge 
across the South Chicamauga and post his artillery 
on the adjacent heights. It* was a bold move ; but 
exactly Grant-like. 

By the use of a concealed road leading to Chat- 
tanooga he brought to the banks of the North 
Chicamauga a miniature fleet of one hundred and 
sixteen pontoon-boats, in which three thousand of his 
picked men, under Sherman, were embarked. 



224 THE TAKN T ER-BOY. 

On Monday, November 23, 1863, a general re- 
connoissance disclosed the condition of the line of the 
enemy. A small eminence known as Indian Hill, 
commanding a view of some parts of the field, was 
taken possession of and held. Soon after midnight 
the daring Union troops embarked in their boats, 
and, with noiseless march through the dark Chica- 
mauga, passed into the Tennessee, keeping close to 
the right bank of the latter river, and floating silently 
along within a few rods of the rebel pickets. It was 
the romance of strategy. The sky was veiled with 
the rifts of November clouds, and the shadows of the 
high hills fell thick and deep- all over the waveless 
waters. The current bore the troops along. Not 
the dash of an oar or the ripple of a keel was heard. 
Not a word was spoken by a single man. 

As the morning broke over the lofty heights, the 
entire command had reached the designated spot 
where their comrades were waiting to be ferried over. 
In a few hours two divisions with artillery were 
across. By noon a pontoon bridge fourteen hun- 
dred feet long spanned the Tennessee, and another 
of two hundred the South Chicamauga. It seemed 
like the work of enchantment. At the going-down 
of the sun the entire command was across, a large 
part of it occupying the slopes of Missionary Ridge, 
and a detachment on its way toward the adjacent 
railway station at Cleveland. By the middle of the 
next day. the cavalry had reached the spot, and de- 



CAPTURES CHATTANOOGA. 225 

stroyed the railway, a factory for' the manufacture of 
gun caps, and other valuable rebel property. 

Gen. Hooker had now assaulted the fortified hold 
of the rebels on Lookout Mountain, carrying before 
nightfall the principal projecting redoubt, securing a 
number of prisoners, and halted, prepared to scale 
the highest peak. Thomas, Hooker, and Sherman, 
still acting in concert, kept the rebels constantly 
occupied in their fronts. 

At tins moment the signal of six guns came 
booming from the head-quarters of Gen. Grant. 
The evening was at hand. The grand assault was 
ordered by the master-spirit of the scene. The 
whole force engaged sprang impetuously forward, 
carrying the rebel rifle pits before them and scatter- 
ing the foe on every hand. A part of the troops of 
Hooker, with cheer upon cheer, dashed up the steeps 
of Lookout, until they reached the spot where the 
clouds of heaven mingled with the smoke of battle at 
their feet. They literally fought for liberty above 
the clouds. 

The victory was won. More than seven thousand 
prisoners of war, nearly fifty pieces of artillery, and 
a large supply of munitions rewarded the valor of 
our troops and the strategy of Grant. Vicksburg 
was renewed on a smaller scale, but the conquest was 
equally glorious. 

The effect of this defeat on the rebels was ap- 
palling. They had felt that they could not and 



226 THE TANNER-BOY. 

would not give up Chattanooga. It was their best 
door of entrance to the supplies they so much needed 
in Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. Some of the 
master-spirits of the Rebellion had published to the 
world that it were better to give up the entire Atlan- 
tic sea-board, the whole South-west, even Richmond 
itself, than to lose Chattanooga. With the loss of 
that post would be lost the golden granaries of grain, 
and the soft fleeces of wool that had been so long 
indispensable to their increasing wants. The valley 
of the Lookout was the only lookout of hope on the 
dreary future of their treason. 

The appearance of Gen. Grant at Chattanooga had 
infused new spirit into all the Union forces in that 
vicinity. His constant activity was a living stimulus 
to all hearts. It was his succeeding consummate 
generalship that carried the day. The rebels were 
completely dispirited. They looked forward after 
their defeat with the most gloomy forebodings to the 
spring of 1864. 

The rebel President had visited this chosen spot of 
supposed impregnability. Standing on the breezy 
top of Lookout Mountain, early in the fall of '63, 
as the Union hosts were gathering around its base, 
he said with a sneer to his fellow-rebel, Bragg : 

" All right ! We have the Federals now ! This 
is the spot of all others where we should wish them 
to be. Now let them come on ! " 

Lieutenant-general Pemberton, who had been com- 



DAVIS FOILED. 227 

pelled to surrender to Grant at Vicksburg, was near 
by at the moment. With a look that betokened his 
strong remembrance of a certain interview under a 
certain oak, he said : 

w Mr. President, excuse me ! I have been blamed 
for not ordering an attack on Grant from our works 
at Vicksburg. But allow me to say, sir, that if you 
order an attack on him here in Chattanooga, the 
result will be that he will soon stand where we are 
standing now ! " 

Davis was silent ; and the party moodily withdrew 
from the summit of the mountain. 

The prediction of Pemberton was fulfilled. It 
was not many days ere the victorious Grant, with 
his patriot generals around him, stood on that same 
spot. The trap which the arch traitor set for his 
loyal countrymen had sprung upon himself. His 
prey had escaped him, and he was caught. The 
national colors, so long and so wickedly defied by 
traitor bands, now waved in triumph from the heights 
of Lookout and the ramparts of Chattanooga. . 



CHAPTER XXV. 

HIS PART IN VICTORY. 

IT is one of the most remarkable traits of the 
character of Grant that the more he becomes 
distinguished the more conspicuous appears his 
modesty. A stranger reading his despatches of the 
capture of Chattanooga would hardly think that the 
whole great victory had been won under his immediate 
direction. Yet such is fact. Such will be the record 
of history. 

The battles of Chattanooga had been fought nearly 
four days. Grant participated in them all. He had 
been planning for them for months in advance. Not- 
withstanding the impaired state of his health he was 
in every part of the difficult post. His command 
was the most important ever conferred on any general 
in the field in any country. The galaxy of marshals 
under Frederick and Napoleon and Wellington did 
not excel that under Grant. His whole fighting 
material was among the very best the world ever 
saw. Ten great and powerful States were included 
in the range of his department, involving the control 
of the destinies of millions of people. 
[228] 



RESULTS OF CHATTANOOGA. 229 

The grand result of the battle of Chattanooga, 
therefore, was of the highest value to the struggling 
Republic. It struck a staggering blow at the great 
Rebellion. It went far to free Kentucky and Ten- 
nessee* from the despotic tyranny of rebel rule, and 
opened a door of hope for the panting Union spirit 
of Northern Alabama and Northern Georgia. It 
secured what remained to be possessed of the Valley 
of the Mississippi, and guarded securely the now wide- 
open and already thronged gateway of the mighty 
West. 

If the victory of Chattanooga had not been won 
as it was by Grant, it would have been impossible 
to have subsisted any longer our armies in that re- 
gion. We should have been compelled to have sur- 
rendered Knoxville and Nashville, Tenn., two of the 
most important posts in all that quarter of the West, 
and given an onward impetus to the Rebellion in 
the spring of 1864 it would have been well-nigh 
impossible to have resisted. 

At the time of the arrival of Grant at Chattanooga 
our armies had been greatly depleted in numbers 
and impaired by deficiency of provisions. Rank 
after rank had fallen away ; train after train of sup- 
plies had failed ; men, horses and mules staggered 
in weakness along the beleaguered thoroughfares to 
suffer and to die. But in the midst of all this black- 
ness of darkness the mind of Grant was illumined 
with light. He saw toil, privation, battle and death 



230 THE TANNER-BOY. 

in the distance ; but he also saw victory. It was 
this that nerved and cheered him on. His personal 
attention was directed to every thing. The minutest 
object of importance did not escape his searching 
eye. He at once proceeded to organize the victory 
of Chattanooga. It was all his — from the begin- 
ning to the ending. 

Walking through the post of Chattanooga, entirely 
alone, with no mark or badge of distinction about 
him, although little observed by others he was con- 
stantly observing them all. His quarters were of 
the most unpretending character. His orders were 
strict, stern and direct. When he took private pro- 
perty for government purposes it was assessed at a 
fair valuation and its ultimate payment guaranteed. 
Rich rebels were made to disgorge their ill-gotten 
gains to aid in putting down the wicked Rebellion 
they had helped originate. The returning spirit of 
loyalty was welcomed with open arms. 

Many attempts had been made by the principal 
rebel generals of the West to flank the Union posi- 
tion several miles to the eastward of Chattanooga, 
for the purpose of marching into Tennessee and cap- 
turing Knoxville. But Grant foiled the enemy in 
these plots at every point. He was duly apprised 
of the position of affairs, and made all his movements 
accordingly, developing his remarkable strategy in a 
manner never to be forgotten. By attacking the 
thin line of the enemy on the flank, taking his inner 



VICTOKIOUS COMBINATIONS. 231 

line of rifle pits and other defences running along 
the valley, capturing Missionary Kidge and Lookout 
Mountain, he plucked the key of the whole position 
from the hand of the Eebellion. This was the work 
before Grant, and history has shown how nobly he 
did it. From the moment of launching the first re- 
connoitring boat and the firing of the first warning 
gun, Grant was the personal director of the fight. 
From the ramparts of Fort Wood he watched the 
whole scene of conflict, and issued his orders with all 
the coolness of a man conscious of a just cause 
and well assured of final victory. The location 
of corps and commanders was all his own. Stationed 
himself within reach of the enemy, his directions were 
applicable at every point. The ascent of the steeps 
of Missionary Eidge, the storming of the heights of 
Lookout Mountain, were movements controlled by 
him, through his united and gallant associates. 
What seemed like madness to other men was sane 
and sure to Grant. Who but he would have dared 
that intervening valloy between him and the enemy, 
where bullets rained down in fiery showers ? Who 
but he would have swept up that hill-side, lined with 
rifle pits to its summit ? Who but he would have 
mounted the heights where the parks of artillery 
were blazing with death? 

A hundred thousand people were engaged in the 
scene. The voice of Grant, low, subdued, calm, 
could be occasionally heard issuing an order, and 



232 THE TANNEK-BOY. 

the panorama of battle changed and passed to and fro 
as if touched by magic. One, two, three, four, five, 
six, at intervals of two seconds, the signal guns 
of Grant sounded the advance. The troops of the 
hero passed to the field with the precision of a 
review. Every man was in his place; every foot 
kept time ; every bayonet was erect ; every banner 
full high unfurled. Now the fight begins. The 
cannon are roaring through the hills at the rate of 
sixty a minute, while the rattle of the musketry 
of tens of thousands of men is like the long roll of 
drums. Streams of fire blaze out from the rifled 
cliffs as from uncapped volcanoes. The valley fills 
with smoke as if it had suddenly become a lake. 
The tide of deadly strife surges on, hour after hour, 
and the hard-fought victory is won. The boasting 
rebels were scattered before as on every side. Their 
army stores for miles in extent were committed to 
the flames. The triumph was complete. 

The modest Grant announced this great result in a 
four-line despatch, dated at Chattanooga, Nov. 25, 
1863, in which he says : 

" I believe I am not premature in announcing a 
complete victory." 

So quietly had the General conducted his prepara- 
tory movements that when he began his first attack, 
the rebels from their lofty parapets thought he was 
engaging in a review. They were taken by surprise 
in the open daylight. Grant at once moved out in 



AT CHATTANOOGA. 2B3 

person, riding along the entire advanced line, and 
reviewing the position from each headquarters of the 
whole army. His own headquarters were constantly 
under fire during the closing hours of the battle, and 
until the glorious victory was secure. 
Such was Grant at Chattanooga. 



20 



CHAPTER XXVL 

■*■ 

PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY. 

THERE was much land yet to be possessed. The 
pursuit of the retreating rebels was immedi- 
ately ordered by Grant. The whole region of the 
Chicamauga was infested with them. As our victo- 
rious troops passed on they soon overtook the foe, 
capturing many prisoners and large quantities of 
army-supplies. 

This course has invariably been pursued by Gen. 
Grant in all his victories. He has never allowed 
any military advantages to escape him by reason of 
unnecessary delay. He never halts except to refresh, 
and in order that he may pursue the foe all the more 
rapidly and successfully. The wisdom of this course 
has been apparent in his career, as it was in the 
present instance. As his army advanced the retreat 
of the rebels became all the more disorderly and 
disastrous. Arms, wagons, rations, railways, de- 
pots, stacks of corn, piles and boxes of bacon, were 
swept before us into the waters and the flames. The 
deserted breastworks and redoubts were entered, and, 
when judged advisable, retained on the march. 
[234] 



LETTER FROM PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 235 

The rebels were driven at all points, and forced 
to take refuge in Dalton, Geo. Their rout was 
complete. Gen. Grant continued to follow them by 
taking possession of all the adjacent country com- 
manded by Chattanooga. The relief of Knoxville 
was at once secured. The vaunted hold of the 
rebels on Tennessee was broken. Their retreat 
from this section thus secured by the conquests of 
Grant was deemed of such national importance, that 
President Lincoln issued a proclamation with refer- 
ence to it, dated at the executive mansion, Washing- 
ton, December 7th, 1863, in which he recommended 
all loyal people, on the receipt of the information, to 
assemble at their places of worship and render spe- 
cial homage and gratitude to Almighty God for 
this great advancement of the national cause. 

On the ensuing day the President forwarded to 
Gen. Grant the following despatch : — 

Washington, Dec. 8, 1863. 

Major - General Grant : Understanding that your 

lodgement at Chattanooga and Nashville is now secure, I 

wish to tender you and all under your command my more 

than thanks — my profoundest gratitude for the skill, 

courage and perseverance with which you and they, over 

so great difficulties, have effected that important object. 

God bless you all ! 

A. Lincoln. 

The admirable dispositions of Grant for dislodging 
the enemy from positions seemingly impregnable, his 



236 THE TANNER-BOY. 

coolness and determination in storming the towering 
heights, must ever render the battle of Chattanooga, 
with its subsequent results, one of the most extraor- 
dinary events in history. 

All readers of the history of the great Rebellion 
of the slaveholders will readily remember with what 
confidence it was predicted that Vicksburg could 
never be taken by Grant. He entered on that 
stupendous work with the sneers of all the rebels in 
America and of all their sympathizers in Europe 
against him. Every delay was the theme of their 
merriment. Every repulse redoubled their jeers. 
But at the very moment they were thus exulting and 
prophesying he was moving calmly on, conscious of 
the justice of his great cause and confident in the 
measures he had taken to secure its final triumph. 
So had it been of Chattanooga. So was it with him 
immediately after that victory. He proceeded at 
once to follow it up. He did not fold his victorious 
arms and ignobly repose on his glorious laurels. 
The Rebellion was still in progress. It survived 
defeat only to grow more desperate. Like the 
struggles of the wounded gladiator, it increased in 
violence as it decreased in strength. In spite of all 
obstacles, therefore, it was to be put down. Great 
rivers, wide territories, fatal diseases, long lines of 
defences, masses of armed traitors sworn to defend 
their treason to the last, still environed it on every 
side. Yet the indomitable spirit of Grant still stirred 



NEW CONQUESTS. 237 

within Mm for its overthrow. His was the same 
heroic valor that had dared the whole body of 
cadets at West Point, when he won the title of 
" Company Grant." Having recovered from the ene- 
mies of our country the control of the Mississippi, 
from Itasca to the Balize, of the Tennessee from 
Bridgeport to Knoxville — dislodged them from their 
strongholds at Vicksburg, Port Hudson, and Lookout 
Mountain — driven them from their deep fastness in 
the Chattanooga Valley — wrested from their deter- 
mined clutches the lofty slopes of Missionary Ridge — 
delivered Knoxville from their barbarous siege, and 
forced them to withdraw, broken and dispirited, from 
beyond the limits of the territory they had outraged — 
the course of Grant was still onward. With a faith 
in God and the valor of his troops that no power on 
earth could shake, with a bravery no human force 
could daunt, with an enthusiasm for universal human 
liberty that was invincible and irrepressible, he stood 
erect in his native greatness, fully equal to the vast 
emergencies in which Heaven had placed him. 

He was at this moment the captor of ninety thou- 
sand prisoners of war, nearly five hundred pieces 
of cannon, and hundreds of thousands of lesser arms. 
In accomplishing these grand results for our country 
he had endured almost incessant privations. Repeat- 
edly exposed to the most deadly fire of the enemy, 
wounded on several occasions, oppressed with the 
care of combined forces never intrusted before to a 



238 THE TANNER-BOY. 

single mind, he yet bore himself with his accustomed 
reticence and modesty, regardless alike of his own 
suffering and danger until Ins work was done. 

The spring of the year 1864 was ribw advancing, 
and the preparations of the general for activity in 
new and wider fields were constantly in progress. 
Meanwhile the country, as if with a spontaneous 
voice, called him to be the recipient of the highest 
military honors in the power of the United States 
Government to confer upon him. A motion was 
introduced into Congress, at the session of 1863-4, 
by which the united thanks of both houses as the 
collected and authorized representatives of all the 
people, should be voted and put on public record in 
the archives of the nation. A gold medal was struck 
in pursuance of this vote, expressive of the gratitude 
felt by the American Kepublic for his distinguished 
services. 

The design of this medal is peculiarly appropriate. 
It represents on one side a profile likeness of Gen. 
Grant, surrounded by a laurel wreath ; his name and 
the dates of the years of his victories are inscribed 
beneath, and the whole encircled with a galaxy of 
stars. On the opposite side is the figure of Fame 
reclining on the American eagle, which appears ready 
for another flight. In her right hand she holds the 
symbolical trumpet, and in her left a scroll with the 
names of Vicksburg, Corinth, Mississippi Eiver, 
Chattanooga. On her head is a helmet, ornamented 



REWARDS OF MERIT. 239 

with radiating Indian plumes. In front of the eagle, 
its breast reclining upon it, is the American shield. 
Beneath, sprigs of pine and palm, indicative of the 
union of the North and the South, are twined 
together. Over all in a curved line are the words ; 
"Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land." 

What a golden badge of merit for the Tanner- 
Boy ! 

This national testimonial was rapidly followed by 
others equally expressive of high popular estimation 
from different parts of the United States. 

The Legislatures of Ohio and New York presented 
him with resolutions of thanks, and caused them to 
be engrossed in their official records ; whije presents 
and proofs of gratitude from the hearts of the people 
poured in upon him. 

Such is the just reward of virtue, courage and 
perseverance ! 



CHAPTER XXVH. 

MADE LIEUTENANT-GENEKAL. 

BUT the most significant act of respect associated 
with the name of Ulysses Grant is that which 
made him Lieutenant-General of the Army of the Unit- 
ted States. This act was passed by the united vote 
of Congress on the first of March, 1864. President 
Lincoln immediately approved it. On the second 
of March it went into effect, by the confirmation of 
Gen. Grant by the Senate as the ranking officer of 
the United States army. 

The rank of lieutenant-general is one of extraor- 
dinary powers. It was conferred as a compliment on 
Gen. Scott ; but, in consequence of the great age and 
enfeebled condition of the health of that distinguished 
commander, he has for some time declined to fill the 
position by active service. Gen. Grant, therefore, 
is solely empowered by direct authority of the Presi- 
dent to exercise exclusive active command of all the 
United States armies. The honor is equivalent to 
that of Field-Marshal. It places its occupant in sole 
control of the military movements of over one million 
armed men in the field of battle. What a post to 
[240] 



POWER AND DUTY. 241 

be reached by the Tanner-Boy of America ! Com- 
ing up from humble private life, with no authority 
of birth, or wealth, or family connection to promote 
him, by the blessing of Heaven on the sheer force of 
his innate energy, directed aright by parental coun- 
sels, we behold him where he is. There is no brighter 
record, thus far, on the pages of all history. This 
nation is more indebted to him for its military suc- 
cesses than to any other living man. 

It is a remarkable fact that this high eminence has 
been reached without any previous intimation on the 
part of others. On a recent occasion when Gen. 
Scott was freely conversing with a friend respecting 
Gen. Grant he expressed the opinion that he had 
exhibited more skill than any general officer of our 
times ; and added that he was the more surprised at 
it because his only slight recollection of Grant was 
as a young lieutenant in the Mexican war of not 
more than ordinary promise. 

When his name was first brought before Congress 
in connection with this post he wrote a member of 
the House that he had already been highly honored 
by the Government, and did not deserve anything 
more in the way of promotion. A single-minded 
patriot he desired only to command men for his coun- 
try's sake , not his own. Duty ! — duty ! — this was his 
highest aim. Calumny, detraction had been heaped 
upon him, and he had asked absolutely nothing from 
his country but to be kept in the battle-field. During 

21 



242 THE TANNER-BOY. 

all his service, from the time he volunteered as a sol- 
dier to the hour of his highest promotion, he had 
never sought or asked a furlough of a single day. 
Quick to decide, prompt to execute, persevering to 
accomplish, he had encountered every danger, braved 
every hardship, borne every reproach for his country, 
his race and his God. 

Some said that when this great distinction was 
conferred Grant would retire from his usual active 
duties in the field, and assume the reins at a distance. 
How little they knew of the man ! He took the post 
of lieutenant-general not to be at greater ease, but 
that he might toil so much the more for his country. 
The honor was conferred upon him while he was 
in the field. He is yet in the field while these pages 
of his life are being written. The intelligence of 
his appointment came to him at the West, busied at 
the very moment with new and larger campaigns. 

During the preceding months of December, 1863, 
and January, 1864, he had personally inspected 
every portion of his active department. The most 
minute examinations were made in detail into every 
element of his army. 

On the 7th of January, 1864, measures were in 
train to authorize the President to issue a call for a 
million more volunteers. The country was fully 
awake to the crisis, and resolved that no effort should 
be spared to overthrow the Rebellion. All eyes were 
beginning to turn to Grant. Many of the rebel sol- 



VISITS ST. LOUIS. 243 

diers, convinced that under such a leader the Union 
forces must ultimately triumph, came to his standard. 
He at once prepared the form of a solemn oath by 
winch, if they adhered to it honorably, they would 
be rendered of service to the United States. Specu- 
lators and camp-followers were still kept at bay. 
The property of loyal citizens in conquered rebel ter- 
ritory was still protected, while that of rebels in arms 
was lawfully seized and confiscated to the patriotic 
work of saving the country. The comfort of the sol- 
diers, whom he ever continued to call his "boys," was 
still the constant object of his care. 

All these arduous and patriotic labors were pre- 
monitory of his entering on his wider sphere of public 
duty. In the course of the month of January he 
visited the posts at Knoxville and Nashville, passing 
on to St. Louis and Louisville. At St. Louis he 
met his family, from which he had been so long 
absent, to act the part of a good father in caring -for 
a sick child. He had made this tour of duty at this 
most inclement season of the year, carefully attend- 
ing everywhere to the great interests of the Re- 
public. 

He arrived in St. Louis on the 26th of January, 
1864. The first intimation of his being in the city 
was his record of his name on the books of his hotel, 
"U. S. Grant, Chattanooga." He had just come 
up from the latter place, like any other traveller. 
His object was to pay a parental visit to his ill boy, 



244 THE TANNER-BOY. 

and pass on his tour of inspection through his 
department. Quietly he came — quietly he was 
going. 

But the conductors of that mighty power of the 
world, the public press, had willed it to be otherwise. 
The great Western hero was not to slip through the 
great Western city in so unobserved a manner. 
The announcement of his name in the morning 
papers brought a cloud of visitors around him. A 
public reception was immediately set on foot. The 
feeling of gratitude toward him for the vast and 
permanent benefits he had conferred on St. Louis 
and all its adjacent tributaries of prosperity, soon 
found expression along the streets. The civil au- 
thorities immediately acted on the suggestion of 
prominent citizens, and the names of the people 
demanded that the man of the people should accept 
from them a public dinner. 

His child having passed the crisis of his disease 
and being pronounced out of danger by his physi- 
cians, the general returned an affirmative answer to 
this invitation. But, with his characteristic prompt- 
ness to duty, in a note dated at St. Louis, Jan. 27, 
he adds — " My stay in this city will be short : proba- 
bly not beyond the first proximo. On to-morrow I 
shall be engaged inspecting the national works. 
Any other day of my stay here and at any place 
selected by the citizens of St. Louis I shall be happy 
to meet them." 



POPULAR DEMONSTRATIONS. 245 

A portion of this day was appropriately devoted 
by the general to a tour through the St. Louis 
University, where he spent some time examining the 
establishment and hearing the recitations of the 
students. 

In the evening he visited by special invitation, 
with his family, a place of public amusement, where 
the people received him with loud and long-continued 
cheers. The band saluted him with the national airs 
"Hail Columbia" and "Yankee Doodle," while at 
intervals the masses present called on him for a 
speech. But as usual he respectfully declined. 
His speeches were made in the battle-fields of the 
Republic, by the mouths of republican cannon thun- 
dering anathemas at the foes of liberty, or defending 
the national honor. 

On the ensuing Friday evening he joined his fellow- 
citizens at their elegant public repast. The modest 
tanner-boy of Ohio, the quiet young cadet of West 
Point, the unknown lieutenant of Texas and Mexico, 
the retired captain of Oregon, the humble farmer of 
Missouri, the unassuming leather-merchant of Illi- 
nois, was now the great conquering general of the 
West, the recover er to free navigation of the Father 
of Waters, the hero of Vicksburg, Shiloh and Chat- 
tanooga. It was an hour of triumph to its re- 
cipient. But it did not charm or elate him. He 
recognized in it nothing more than a proof of the 
loyal devotion to their country of the true patriots 



246 THE TANNER-BOY. 

of St. Louis, and their kind acknowledgment of the 
part he had been called by the Almighty to take in 
the work of delivering the land from the blighting 
twin-curses of treason and slavery. 

The occasion was worthy of the events and man 
of the day. Distinguished military and civil gen- 
tlemen thronged around him. His father-in-law, 
F. Dent, Esq. was at his side ; and the family con- 
versation between the two, in a low and familiar 
tone, was of more interest to Gen. Grant than all 
the pomp and parade of the evening. The white 
hairs of this genial old gentleman kept the remem- 
brance of the dear ones at home in the mind of the 
hero, and inspired continually those patriotic senti- 
ments of devotion to native land, to kindred, to the 
hearthstone and the altar, which no public ceremony 
however splendid can of itself awaken. 

The tables were crowded with company, all eager 
to catch a glance of their honored guest. The hall 
was decorated in a becoming manner, and the strains 
of martial music added their powerful zest to the 
scene. When the hour arrived for the toast — 
" Major- General Grant, our Distinguished Guest ," the 
band struck up " Hail to the Chief," and played it 
with fine effect. 

Now rose the loud call for a speech. But no 
speech came. The general modestly rose by the 
side of his father-in-law, and said : 

" Gentlemen : I am indebted to you for your 



SYMPATHY FOR THE PEOPLE. 247 

kindness on this occasion, and most sincerely thank 
you." 

This brief characteristic announcement was re- 
ceived with loud cheers, in the midst of which the 
general resumed his seat and his quiet conversations. 
It was eminently Grant-like ; suitable, appropriate 
and well received by all. Not that he was indiffer- 
ent to the good opinions of his fellow-citizens. Not 
that he had any mean idea of the benefits the valor 
of his sword had won for his country. Not that he 
was cynical, churlish, and disposed to frown on 
cheerful enthusiasm. Nothing of the kind. But he 
was a man of deeds — not words. He had a just 
conception of the cause of the people, and had 
proved it on many a hard-fought battle-field by peril- 
ling his life in its behoof. But it was and is his 
purpose to show his convictions of duty to his coun- 
try and mankind in his own way, and time, and 
place. He served the people faithfully ; and when 
they honored him for the service he thanked them 
gratefully. What could he, or any man, do or say 
more ? 

An occasion of another kind occurred while the 
general was on this tour of duty. 

The Western Sanitary Commission having request- 
ed him through a committee of public-spirited gentle- 
men to attend a general meeting of the citizens, in 
which preparations were to be made for the " Missis- 
sippi Valley Fair " in aid of the sick and wounded 



248 THE TANNER-BOY. 

soldiers of the Republic, he at once wrote a letter on 
the subject, elated at St. Louis the 31st of January, 
1864, in which he expresses his regret that his 
already protracted stay in the city would prevent any 
longer delay from his more public duties. 

" The gratuitous offerings of our loyal citizens at 
home," he adds, "through the agency of Sanitary 
Commissions, to our brave soldiers in the field have 
been to them the most encouraging and gratify- 
ing evidence that whilst they are risking life and 
health for the suppression of this most wicked 
Rebellion, their friends, who cannot assist them 
with musket and sword, are with them in sympathy 
and heart. The Western Sanitary Commission have 
issued many tons of stores to the army under my 
command. 

" These voluntary offerings of this and other kin- 
dred associations have made glad the hearts of many 
thousands of wounded and sick soldiers, who other- 
wise would have been subjected to severe privations. 
I hope for you a full and enthusiastic meeting and a 
fair to follow which will bring together many old 
friends, who have been kept apart for the last three 
years, and unite them all again in one common cause 
— that of our country and of peace." 

These noble and philanthropic sentiments, so well 
expressed, are in perfect keeping with the whole 
career of Grant. He has never sacrificed the dictates 
of humanity to the summons of glory. While Valor 



THE IRISH VOLUNTEER. 249 

fights with him on one side, Mercy binds up wounds 
on the other. 



"O'Meara is dead, then?" said the general, at 
Chattanooga. 

"Yes, sir," replied the officer of the day to whom 
the inquiry was addressed. " His body is about be- 
ing sent forward." 

" Gallant O'Meara ! " continued Grant, as if com- 
muning with his own spirit, and the spirits of the 
brave around him. " Gone ! A braver man never 
filled a saddle ! " 

" He is at the landing now, waiting to be put on 
the boat." 

"I knew him well," the general spoke on, as if he 
heeded not what was said by his companion — " He 
was with us in the Army of the Tennessee. I shall 
never forget his noble defence of the trestle-work at 
Holly Springs. He saved us all from starvation. 
Noble O'Meara! Brave Irish Legion!" 

"Would you like to see him, general?" 

" I should. Let us go." 

The two officers passed together to the little steamer 
by the levee of the river. 

It was a touching sight. A group of officers and 
men had gathered on the deck and levee, while others 
stood looking on along the adjacent heights. The 
coffin, covered with the American flag, lay on the 



250 THE TANNER-BOY. • 

army bier. The procession had halted, and the boat 
was about to start. 

" Stop the steamer a moment," said the general 
solemnly ; " I want to see him." 

An orderly removed the colors and the coffin-lid. 

The hero bent over his departed comrade, and 
dropped a silent tear on the cold face. His lip quiv- 
ered, as it always does when he is experiencing deep 
emotion. He clasped his hands over the breast of the 
young Irish* volunteer who had come so willingly 
with him from the same State, who had stood so gal- 
lantly by his side in the deadly hurtlings of battle, 
who had fought so bravely to save his whole army 
from death by starvation, and who had now offered 
up a youthful life as a sweet, rich sacrifice on the 
altar of his country. An exile and a pilgrim from 
his own native land, he had come to America to die 
for the flag that is the emblem of liberty through- 
out the world. 

Sad, yet glorious scene ! It was like the frame- 
work of a tender, silent, historic picture to infold 
and preserve the lineaments of Ulysses Grant — 
the man who inspired the gallant living by honoring 
the gallant dead. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

CALLED TO WASHINGTON. 

ON the evening of Tuesday, March 8th, 1864, a 
stranger was seen walking quietly into the din- 
ing-room of Willard's Hotel, at the capital of the 
nation. A bright boy clasped his hand, and sat by 
his side at the public table. The two seats were taken 
among the unnoticed and unknown. 

The same stranger had written on the register of 
the hotel the unassuming record : 

"U. S. Grant and son, Nashville, Tennessee." 
It was the last stopping-place of father and child. 
As they took their seats for the usual repast provided 
for guests a gentleman from New Orleans recognized 
them. In an instant the news spread through the 
establishment. The boarders present, of whom there 
were hundreds at the time, rose to their feet by a 
simultaneous impulse, and in another instant cheer 
upon cheer rang through the room. All who could 
reach his seat rushed forward to greet him, while he, 
confused and blushing, received their applause with 
a modest bow. As he left the tea-room other admir- 

[251] 



252 THE TANNER-BOY. 

ing crowds flocked around his path so thickly that it 
was with difficulty he could obtain an entrance to his 
private apartment. The man who had not shrunk 
from the batteries of the enemy was now prone to 
retire from this artillery of the gratitude and friend- 
ship of his countrymen. He was completely over- 
powered and fairly driven from the field. 

In the evening he attended the customary levee of 
President Lincoln at the Executive Mansion. The 
enthusiasm at his presence was unbounded and un- 
controllable. The people literally lifted him from his 
feet, drove him by sheer force of popular pressure to 
an adjacent sofa, and obliged him to mount the ram- 
parts of their will, conquered, at last. It was the 
most thrilling scene of the kind that ever occurred at 
the White House. On one side stood Grant, a few 
inches above the masses around him. On the other 
stood President Lincoln, almost as high from the 
floor, cheering heartily with all the rest of his fellow- 
citizens. The tribute was spontaneous, cordial, 
patriotic ; every way worthy of the man, of the place 
and the country. 

But Grant had come to Washington by direct 
order of the Commander-in-Chief on special business 
of importance — not for personal recreation or public 
parade. He was by no means insensible to these 
grateful manifestations of confidence and good-will 
from his fellow-countrymen. They were not, how- 
ever, in his line. 



COMMISSION BESTOWED. 253 

On retiring from this levee he said quietly to a 
friend : 

" I hope to get away from Washington as soon as 
possible, for I am tired of f the show business ' al- 
ready/' 

The ensuing day, March the 9th, 1864, was the time 
fixed by President Lincoln for presenting him his 
commission as Lieutenant-General. The ceremony 
took place in the Executive Chamber, in front of the 
Presidential Chair, in presence of all the Cabinet, 
Major-General Halleck, Hon. Owen Lovejoy, then 
representative in Congress from the State of Illinois, 
and other invited guests. 

The scene was as republican as it was impressive. 
Gen. Grant having entered the chamber President 
Lincoln rose from his chair and addressed him 
thus : 

" Gen. Grant, — The nation's approbation of what you 
have already done, and its reliance on you for what re- 
mains to do in the existing great struggle, is now presented 
with, this commission, constituting you Lieutenant -General 
of the Army of the United States. 

" With this high honor devolves on you a corresponding 
responsibility. As the country herein trusts you, so, under 
God, it will sustain you. 

" I scarcely need add that with what I here speak for the 
nation goes my own hearty personal concurrence." 

Gen. Grant accepted the commission, and, holding 
it in his hand, briefly replied : 



254 THE TANNER-BOY. 

" Mr. President, — I accept this commission with 
gratitude for the high honor conferred. With the aid of 
the noble armies who have fought on so many fields for our 
common country, it will be my earnest endeavor not to dis- 
appoint your expectations. I feel the full weight of the 
responsibility now devolving on me. I know that if it is 
properly met it will be due to these armies ; and, above 
all, to the favor of that Providence which leads both nations 
and men." 

Thus began and closed this remarkable scene. 
Every feature of it was a living embodiment of the 
genius of the Republic. 

The most extraordinary military commander of 
modern times, the man who has done more in the 
field for our country than any other since the days 
of Washington, was thus quietly endowed with the 
supreme active command of all the army forces of a 
nation of thirty-four millions. 

There was nothing in the scene itself. There was 
and is nothing in the rank, separate from the man. 
Other men have been and are lieutenant-generals 

S3 

who have accomplished but little for the world or 
themselves. But for Ulysses the Tanner-Boy to fill 
such a distinguished post is the tribute of history to 
study, industry and perseverance, to true goodness 
and greatness, which an admiring world must ever 
approve. 

Youth of America ! see to it that this instructive 
lesson is not lost upon you. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

NO REVELRY IN BATTLE TIME. 

STILL greater achievements than any he had yet 
won were now before Lieutenant-General Grant. 
Declining, with respectful consideration, the public 
civilities tendered him on every hand, he addressed 
himself at once to the vast work he ever kept in 
view. Crowds of rich men and fair women sought 
his audience. Popular assemblies courted his pres- 
ence. But he met them all only to repeat .his assur- 
ances of duty to his country. He recognized the 
confidence and applause of the people only that he 
might serve them the better in his high calling. 
He felt that he was raised up of Heaven to aid in 
putting down the wicked Rebellion against liberty 
and constitutional government; and every energy, 
therefore, was bent to the right discharge of the 
solemn responsibilities that had been placed upon 
him. 

" O ! Gen. Grant ! " said a bevy of fair ladies who 
clustered around him at Washington, " we hear there 
is going to be a ball, in connection with the grand 

review of the Army of the Potomac ! " 

[255] 



256 THE TANNER-BOY. 

w Indeed ? " he quietly replied ; " I had not heard 
of it." 

" Well, it is all fixed, General. We ladies always 
have the management of these things after reviews ! " 

"Is it possible?" 

" You don't know, General, what a delightful time 
we had at the last ball in the army." 

"No, indeed I don't," added he, with a grim 
smile. 

" Oh ! such beautiful officers ! — and such glorious 
dancing ! and such delicious music ! and such a 
luxurious supper ! Do, General, let us have another 
ball, wonH you?" 

" Ladies ! " said the General, pausing in his hur- 
ried walk, and looking at them with a grave and 
fixed attention. " This thing must be stopped. I am 
not a cynic, and enjoy rational pleasures as well as 
any one else. But I would ask you, in all candor 
and gentleness, if this is a time for music, and dan- 
cing, and feasting among officers in the army ? Is 
our country in a condition to call for such things, at 
present? Do army balls inspire our troops with 
courage in the field ? Do they soothe our sick and 
wounded in the hospitals ? 

" If another such ball is attempted in the Army of 
the Potomac, at such a time as this, I shall stop it 
by a special order ! " 

To the credit of these ladies it shall be recorded 
here that they instantly saw the propriety of the 



COUNCIL OF WAR. 257 

course of the General, and pressed such applications 
no more. 

He immediately proceeded to hold a council of 
war at the headquarters of the Government. The 
records of the proceedings of that council are official- 
ly sealed ; but enough is known of them to warrant 
the assurance that the position taken by Grant was 
one of instant activity. He had now more power to 
put forth for his country than he ever had, and he 
was determined to exercise it all without the delay of 
a moment. All the military talent the Government 
could command was drawn together on this occasion. 

On the 22d of February, 1863, the President had 
issued an order calling for the immediate advance of 
all the combined forces of the country. But to all 
human appearances the hour had, not then come. 
The call struck the ear of the nation like a trumpet- 
note, and clearly proved that the Chief Magistrate of 
the people was fully prepared for the great emer- 
gency. The. people, however, were not generally 
awake. It remained now for Gen. Grant to waken 
them. 

In the grand council of war to which reference has 
been made he was the first to make the bold an- 
nouncement that Richmond, the nominal capital of 
the Rebellion, must and should be taken. It was his 
first step in his great spring campaign as Lieutenant- 
General. The announcement took the nation by 
surprise. But they who knew Grant perfectly well 

22 



258 THE TANNER-BOY. 

understood that it was a measure, however startling 
and stupendous, that he had meditated long and 
closely ; and for the prompt, earnest, persevering 
accomplishment of which he was calmly prepared 
with his labors and his life. 

The council over, his purpose stated, his plans 
matured, on the 10th of March, 1864, he issued his 
orders to bring forward at once the Eleventh and 
Twelfth Corps from Chattanooga, and the Sixteenth 
and Seventeenth Corps from the Mississippi River, 
to Virginia. His own headquarters were immedi- 
ately established in the field. Working in perfect 
harmony with all the powerful influences he was now 
able to bring around him, inspiring all within his 
sphere with at least a measure of that confidence 
which rested on the firm foundations of duty in his 
own mind, having no jealousies, no discords, no rival- 
ries, having never had a court martial in his command 
nor a deserter to shoot, his consolidation of force was 
like the origin and march of the Father of Waters. 
Winding it might be ; now in one direction, now in 
another ; now hidden by night, now in the mists of 
day ; but onward, onward, onward ever ! 

His presence with the Army of the Potomac, be- 
tween Washington and Eichmond, furnished no crite- 
rion of his future plans. From his humble headquar- 
ters at Culpepper Court House in the Old Dominion 
he issued his orders with promptness and efficiency to 
every part of his wide field. His mind was at New 



IN THE FIELD. 259 

Orleans, Chattanooga, Vicksburg, Knoxville, Nash- 
ville, Mobile, Savannah and Charleston, as active as 
it was in his immediate command. By means of the 
telegraph he could communicate rapidly and con- 
stantly with all quarters of the different campaigns, 
at once, and conduct them together with the most 
perfect regularity. He had as much command in 
Mississippi and Tennessee, in Louisiana, Texas and 
Georgia, in South and North Carolina, as he had in 
Virginia. His movements were made, therefore, 
with all the precision of a chess-board, and with far 
more certainty of ultimate success. The word "can't" 
was still not to be found in his dictionary. He had 
been furnished .with several new editions, greatly 
enlarged and improved. But the lexicography was 
the same in them all. "Can't" was not there. 

The first great evidence of the presence of Grant 
in the Army of the Potomac was the increase of 
discipline. No sooner had he arrived in the field of 
active operations than orders were issued prohibiting 
officers of all grades from using Government wagons 
or horses for their own personal accommodation. 
These orders were executed with rigid severity. 
Every animal and vehicle suspected of being used in 
this surreptitious and dishonorable manner was in- 
stantly seized and restored to its legitimate uses. 
Sutlers and their hangers-on were banished from 
within the lines in the most summary manner. So 
extensive had this sutlery abuse become that three 



2 GO THE TANNER-BOY. 

thousand persons of that class were packed off to the 
rear by a single order from the vigilant Grant. 

While riding to the front, preparing for speedy 
battle, the General met one day an officer who had 
been his fellow-cadet at West Point. Grant was on 
horseback, unattended except by his faithful orderly, 
patiently pursuing his careful inspections of his posi- 
tion through a heavy storm of rain. The officer was 
riding in a handsome four-wheeled covered carriage, 
on easy elliptic springs and softly cushioned seats, 
with an elegant stud of horses and a guard of out- 
riders. The meeting under such circumstances was 
a mutual surprise. 

The recognitions and salutes passed, the Lieuten- 
ant-General with that quiet humor which at times 
crops out in his character, politely asked : 

" May I have the pleasure of your company, sir ? " 

Now the officer was clad in his best on this occa- 
sion. His uniform was a pink of perfection in its fit. 
His straps were of the broadest and most elegant 
pattern. His plumes were of the largest and glossi- 
est. His gloves were as clean as yellow buckskin 
can possibly be. His patent-leather army boots 
were unsoiled by a single drop of rain or flake of 
mud. 

" Certainly, General ! " he replied, with great 
blandness and cordiality, "I will turn about and 
drive along with you. Or, will you not get in with 
me, General?" 



NO FIELD CARRIAGES. 261 

n No, I'm obliged to you," replied Grant, " I am 
in great haste to get to the front, and have not a 
moment to lose. Beside, I wish to speak with you 
in private. Do me the favor to walk along this 
way." 

The officer left his comfortable seat, plunged out 
in the mud and rain, and trudged on by the side of 
the General, he all the while asking him important 
questions respecting his department until he was wet 
to the skin. 

As he turned to go back to his carriage the 
General quietly reminded him of the influence of his 
example on the troops, and politely intimated that 
there would be no more field-carriages supplied to 
officers from that day. 

It was the turning-over of a new leaf of discipline 
in the Army of the Potomac. As the news of it 
reached the ears of the brave boys in the ranks they 
cheered it lustily, while no officer worthy of the name 
could consistently complain. The General was but 
doing with others what he did with himself. The 
men saw he was one of them — that their privations 
were his — and they not only loved him all the more 
tenderly, but resolved in their hearts to fight under 
him all the more bravely. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

CONDITION OF THE REPUBLIC. 

THE condition of the American Republic at the 
time of the opening of this chapter was of most 
critical interest. 

The great Slaveholders' Rebellion — the most gi- 
gantic and most wicked, the most causeless and most 
barbarous the world has ever seen — had now been 
in active continuance for more than three consecu- 
tive years. On the part of the traitors, from the 
commencement of hostilities at the cowardly bom- 
bardment of Fort Sumter, the war had been one for 
the divine and political right of man to hold property 
in his fellow-man ; to raise, and buy and sell men and 
women and children as articles of merchandise ; to 
erect, maintain and perpetuate a government of slave- 
holders, based on slavery, in which its adopted and 
sworn Constitution expressly declares its object in 
these words : " No Law impairing or denying 
the Right of Property in Negro Slaves shall 
be passed." 

" In all Territories the Institution of Negro Slave- 
ry, as it now exists in the Confederate States, shall 
[202] 



SLAVERY CAUSED THE WAR. 2G3 

be recognized and protected by Congress, and by the 
Territorial Governments ; and the inhabitants of the 
several Confederate States and Territories shall have 
the Eight to take to such Territory any Slaves law- 
fully held by them in any of the States or Territories 
of the Confederate States." 

"No Slave or other Person held to service or labor 
in any State or Territory of the Confederate State^ 
under the Laws thereof, escaping or lawfully carried 
into another, shall, in consequence of any Law or 
Regulation therein, be discharged from such service 
or labor; but shall be delivered up on the claim 
of the Party to whom such Slave belongs, 
or to whom such service or labor may be due." — 
\_See Constitution of the so-called Confederate States of 
America, adopted unanimously March 11, 1861.] 

These atrocious constitutional enactments were 
unblushingly indorsed by the adherents of the Re- 
bellion in all their primary assemblies, their public 
speeches, their pulpits, their presses, and the obliga- 
tions of society. 

This single, paramount object of the traitors was 
still pursued by them with a tenacity, zeal, courage 
and sacrifice, worthy of the best of causes. For this 
they had plunged themselves and all they could 
control into the unutterable horrors of a fratricidal 
war. For this barbaric, inhuman, unchristian object 
they had gathered together the garnered strength of 
years, and their unhallowed swords leaped from their 



264 THE TANNER-BOY. 

scabbards. Appealing in the preamble of their Con- 
stitution, with a blasphemy that knows no parallel, 
" to the favor and guidance of Almighty God," they 
rushed into the unholy strife. Laying the bloody 
foundations of their government in the despotic and 
guilty assumptions of slavery, they established their 
own selfish purposes with reference to Legislative 
^ower and arbitrary Personal Rights ; the appoint- 
ment of a President and Vice-President ; the Judi- 
ciary ; the validity of Public Acts and Records ; 
exclusive Slaveholding Citizenship ; the admission of 
New States on an invariable Slaveholding Basis ; 
and the Ratification and Amendment of their Con- 
stitution. Prosecuting this outrage on humanity in 
detail, they proposed to levy and collect taxes, bor- 
row money, regulate commerce with foreign nations 
and with the Indian tribes in their borders, to prose- 
cute interval improvements, establish uniform laws 
of naturalization, coin money and regulate the value 
thereof, establish a postal system, promote science, 
constitute courts, punish crimes, declare war, raise 
armies and a navy, call forth the militia, .secure the 
exclusive jurisdiction of a national capital, and make 
all other necessary laws and regulations for the 
upbuilding to all ages of a nation of slaveholding 
despots, whose corner-stone was to be laid in the 
perpetuity of human bondage. 

So stands the record of the so-called Confederate 
States, fairly judged by the constitution and public 



DIVISION AT Tim NOBTH. 2G5 

acts of their own Government. On this basis, and 
on this alone, the armed rebels of America seceded 
in 1861, from the American Union. Such, at last,' 
will be the impartial verdict of mankind. 

The United States, however, were not at first 
equally one in the object they had in view. They 
were not as entirely one in favor of human liberty 
as the seceded States were in favor of human slavery 
It was necessary, therefore, that disaster should 
follow disaster, outrage be added to outrage on the 
part of this combined, greatest slave power of the 
world, .before the sincere friends of the American 
Union could be brought clearly to see that the real 
foe to its continued existence and prosperity was' 
American slavery; and that, therefore, one or the 
other must perish. 

As the war progressed it was at length seen that 
the jealousy of foreign governments was superadded 
to the attacks of the slave power from without and 
of its allies within. Our commerce was assailed 
on the ocean ; our finances were tampered with ; the 
prices of the necessaries of life inflated by unprin- 
cipled speculators ; secret organizations were formed 
moneys raised by them and expended in the support 
of disloyal publications; men in public stations, 
especially in Congress, bitterly attacked every measure 
of the National Government, without exception, there- 
by giving aid and comfort to enemies abroad and 
traitors at home. 

23 



266 THE TANNER-BOY. 

It was precisely tr a same with the Republic at this 
crisis as it was with the Colonies in the war of the 
Revolution, and with the patriots of 1812. The 
artificial prices of gold, silver, breadstuff's, fuel, 
clothing und other indispensables of society were the 
same then that they were at the opening of the year 
1864. Notwithstanding all that had been done by 
the patriots of our day, in spite of their vast sacrifices 
of blood and treasure, the military and naval move- 
ments of the hour began in the midst of a chill in the 
hearts and a lack of general confidence in the minds 
of the people. As in the days of Washington, how- 
ever, there were those engaged in active duties for 
the nation who felt that not only the hour for renewed 
exertion but that of ultimate triumph was at hand. 

The proclamations of the President, the concurrent 
acts of Congress and of the State Legislatures, the 
popular suffrages of the citizens at their elections, 
the subscriptions of the capitalists and others to the 
public stocks, the vast increase of warlike material 
and the gathering of the largest volunteer army ever 
marshalled on earth, the prospect that the final crisis 
was nigh at hand, all conspired to render the aspect 
of our national affairs one of momentous and thrill- 
ing import. 

It was at this solemn and eventful crisis that Lieut. - 
Gen. Grant was called to take the field. What a 
responsibility for any man at such an hour ! Not 
only the destiny of this great Republic but the hopes 



SECOND SAVIOR OF HIS COUNTRY. 267 

of constitutional liberty throughout the world hun^ 
trembling in the scale. If he was doomed to failure, 
fearful disasters must%follow that no tongue or pen 
could portray. If he were granted success by benig- 
nant Heaven the blessings of untold millions would 
fall on his head, and he would be hailed by the side 
of Washington as the second savior of his country. 

It was in such times and under such responsibilities 
as these that he moved forward to the front. His 
master-mind grasped the whole issue at a glance. 
He was placed in such command that he became the 
Field-Marshal of the Eepublic. There was no limit 
to his power except his obligation to report to the 
delegated authority of the Government, and, through 
that, to the people. Now let us read, mark, learn 
and inwardly digest the carriage of this man. 

He was well aware that on the last anniversary 
of the birthday of Washington, President Lincoln 
had issued an order, as Commander-in-Chief of the 
national forces, for a general and simultaneous move- 
ment on the entire line of the Rebellion. But to 
him, as well as to others, the time was not propitious. 
Our councils were too divided. Our separate com- 
mands were too far apart. The master military 
spirit was wanting. As the spring campaign of 
1864 opened on the country and the world it seemed 
as if the Almighty had given us that spirit in Ulysses 
Grant. Let us follow his record and see. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

ON TO RICHMOND. 

IMMEDIATELY after his modest reception of 
his distinguished title of Lieutenant -General 
Grant established his headquarters at Culpepper 
Court House, Virginia. This was in the immediate 
centre of his theatre of active operations. His gigantic 
plans were now gradually developed. The presence 
of the master-spirit was soon felt. General Meade, 
at the head of the Army of the Potomac, was ordered 
to move on the enemy at Richmond, by crossing the 
Rubicon at the Rapidan River. General Butler re- 
ceived his orders to march up the Virginia peninsula, 
also toward the rebel capital. General Sherman 
was to push down from the heights of old Chattanooga 
to the rebel posts in Georgia. General Sigel, with a 
large reserve, was to occupy the Valley of the She- 
nandoah. The hour and the man had come. The 
whole central force of the Republic was in motion. 
It was all guided, for the first time, by a single hand. 
L T nity of purpose and action, like the full-orbed sun 
bursting from behind a cloud, lit up the scene and 
fixed the eyes of the nation on a single point. The 
[268] 



THE REBEL CAPITAL. 269 

entire resources at the command of the Government 
for the great occasion were placed at the feet of 
Grant. His will in battle was now the military hope 
of the land. 

As he proceeded steadily and cautiously to the 
execution of his noble and patriotic plans, General 
Grant addressed a confidential letter to the President 
of the United States. In that letter he assumed the 
entire responsibility of the campaign. The President 
had m no way advised, counselled or commanded it. 
The people were to be assured, so far as the President 
might feel it to be his duty to communicate to them 
through the press the contents of this frank and un- 
reserved epistle, that no interference or dictation of 
any kind had. occurred with reference to the plans 
of Grant in any quarter. Here let this record 
stand. 

Richmond, as is well known, was the central point 
of attack on our part and of defence on the part of 
the rebels. Its capture was regarded by Grant as 
of the first importance. The city is the nominal 
capital of the Rebellion, and the real one of the 
State of Virginia. It is located on the James River, 
at a distance of one hundred and seventeen miles 
south-west of Washington. At the breaking-out of 
the Rebellion, in 1861, it had a population of sixty 
thousand — of whom about ten thousand were per- 
sons of color, and of these eight thousand were 
slaves. Its situation is beautiful and commanding, 



270 THE TANNER-BOY. 

on the west bank of the James, a little over fifty 
miles from City Point, and one hundred and fifty 
miles above the mouth of the river. 

Four lines of railway here connect — the Eich- 
mond and Petersburg; the Eichmond, Fredericks- 
burg and Potomac ; the Central Eailway of Virginia ; 
and the Eichmond and Danville. The James-Eiver 
Canal terminates at Eichmond. Vessels drawing ten 
feet of water come as near the city as a place called 
Eockets — about a mile from the centre. Those 
drawing fifteen feet can reach Warwick, three miles 
below. 

The falls in the James at Eichmond are obviated 
by a canal, so that above them the river is navigable 
for small craft a distance of two hundred and twenty 
miles. Before the Eebellion began its destructive 
work with its commerce the city had several lines of 
steamers, propellers and packets, connecting with 
New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk and 
other large towns. Its principal exportations have 
been wheat, flour and tobacco. The value of these 
has amounted annually to over five millions of dol- 
lars. The tonnage has been twenty thousand tons. 
It has had extensive manufactories ; and had it re- 
mained loyal to the Government of the United States, 
which has done so much for the best interests of the 
city, it might have flourished to this day. 

But the great Slaveholders' Eebellion, while it has 
vastly increased the floating population of Eichmond, 



THE REBEL CAPITAL. 271 

and enlarged its warlike manufactures, has destroyed 
its commerce utterly, sadly impaired its morals, im- 
peded its education, and rendered it, as the prison- 
house of Union soldiers and the hospital for sick and 
wounded rebels, a modern Aceldama — a city of 
blood. Vice has run riot through its avenues ; 
gambling, drunkenness, debauchery, peculation and 
fraud have joined their slimy hands with the red 
clutch of slaveholding barbarism, and covered the 
town with a pall of guilt and darkness and 
shame. 

At the time the Rebel Government located its 
archives at Richmond, gave the traitor President 
the semblance of a White House for an executive 
mansion, and commenced the sessions of its traitor- 
ous Congress in the Old Dominion State House, 
the necessity of fortifying the place was soon made 
apparent. Breastworks were thrown up in different 
directions, and such guns as had been plundered from 
the Navy Yard at Norfolk, or cast in the Tredegar 
Iron Works, were placed in the intrenchments. Be- 
hind these, crowded into narrow and dirty squares 
and streets, the rebel troops have been gathered, 
and the flag of treason has flaunted its sign of bar- 
barous oppression over the ramparts for nearly three 
dark and bloody years. 

Other fortifications had been erected below Rich- 
mond, on the James River, and at different points 
covering the water-approaches to the city. Of these 



272 THE TANNER-BOY. 

the principal were on Drury's Bluff, at Fort Darling. 
Iron-clad and other armed vessels were placed at 
intervals in the river, and the channel was as much 
impeded as possible with torpedoes and sunken ob- 
structions. Petersburg and other commanding points 
in that direction were fortified, and supplied with' 
troops and other means of defence. 

In the direction of Washington, covering that side 
of the rebel capital, and designed to be the strongest 
bulwark of the Rebellion, was the great army of 
Gen. Lee. The position of Lee was in every respect 
formidable. He had with him a force supposed to 
number over one hundred thousand men. Of these 
a large proportion were veterans, who had served 
with him in all his campaigns. He was regarded, 
when in the United-States Army, as a superior officer. 
Increased experience and repeated successes had given 
him a high name as a soldier, while all his men were 
seemingly actuated by a determined purpose to fight 
bravely to the last. His defences were stretched 
along a line from Fredericksburg Heights to Chancel- 
lorsville, from Gordonsville to the Po and North and 
South Anna Eivers, and continued, at intervals, to 
the gates of Richmond. Re-enforcements were com- 
ing in from the West, and from Gen. Beauregard, 
who had left the defence of Charleston, S.C., to 
other hands, that he might join his forces to those of 
the most distinguished of the rebel chieftains in the 
coming mighty struggle. 



forward march! 273 

Thus lay the two opposite fields of battle, at mid- 
night of the memorable third of May, 1864. 

" Forward march ! " came the calm order from 
Grant. The drums beat "To arms !" The trumpets 
clangored " Form ! " The great hosts sprang to their 
feet as by the touch of a talisman. By daylight of 
the fourth the whole grand army was in motion to 
meet the foe. It was the most impressive scene of 
the kind in the war. The known presence of the 
Lieutenant-General inspired all hearts. The troops 
pressed rapidly forward. By two o'clock of the 
afternoon they were across the separating river, and 
had reached the bloody field of Chancellorsville, 
facing the enemy, where skirmishing immediately 
began. 

The moment for action was at hand. The Tanner- 
Boy was all ready ! 



CHAPTER XXXH. 

FIRST RICHMOND BATTLE. 

AT eleven o'clock on the morning of Thursday, 
the 5th of May, 1864, commenced the first 
great battle of Grant's Richmond campaign. He 
faced his line to the south-west, his right resting on 
the Rapidan. The conflict began at once with spirit 
on both sides, and continued until four in the after- 
noon. 

The whole force of Lee was discovered to be in 
front of our army. Grant immediately determined 
on a general engagement. On every side the rebels 
crowded to the field. They had massed in column, 
and were evidently bent on their usual tactics of a 
concentrated dash. The adjacent woods were so 
thick that artillery could not be used to advantage. 
Mounted officers were compelled to leave their horses 
and engage in the fight on foot. The infantiy ad- 
vanced to close range, and fought with musketry 
until near dark. Only here and there was a bayonet 
charge. At sunset musketry firing was resumed, still 
at short range. Cartridges were sent into the woods 
on the hospital stretchers that brought out the 
[274] 



FIRST RICHMOND BATTLE. 275 

wounded. The battle was fought on a line six miles 
long. This position was occupied by an army of 
two hundred thousand men . Enthusiasm , confidence , 
promptness marked the troops on every hand. At 
ten at night the battle-field was still. The reports 
were everywhere favorable, and confirmed our having 
sustained the shock of batle all along the line and 
taken several hundred prisoners during the day. 

The morning of Friday, May 6th, found Grant 
prepared for another onset. His tactics had already 
surprised the enemy. They imagined he would go 
into the fight with detached ranks, assailing them 
with a portion of his troops at a given time, and then 
retire and wait. Instead of this they found him 
hurling the entire force of his solid columns upon 
them, giving them no opportunity to pursue their old 
strategy of massing in the rear and bearing down 
our thinner lines with impetuous charges and de- 
moniac yells. Prisoners and deserters from the rebel 
ranks freely acknowledged that Lee was disappointed 
at Grant's strategy, and, in a measure, disconcerted 
in his plans. 

Gen. Sheridan, the new commander of the Union 
cavalry, had passed rapidly down beyond the old 
Chancellorsville battle-ground, and encountered the 
rebel Gen. Stuart, with a strong body of horse. Lee 
at once perceived that it was now Grant's intention 
to get between him and Richmond at this point. He 
had therefore made a rapid change of base, through 



276 THE TANNER-BOY. 

the day and night preceding, bringing himself to 
Grant's front with a concentrated force near Wilder- 
ness Church and Tavern. The ground was highly 
advantageous for Lee, and he at once began to press 
in our pickets. The course of Grant was adopted 
instantly. He moved rapidly from Germania Ford, 
and established his field headquarters at the Wilder- 
ness. Lee was thus met on his own ground. The 
reserve forces of Gen. Burnside had been brought 
down in the night and massed in front, at a point 
where the rebels least expected to find them. The 
great rebel chieftain was thus foiled at the onset, and 
compelled to a fair stand-up fight, where his cunning 
manoeuvres would avail him but little. At last he 
had found his match. Grant was there ! 

The attempt of Lee to break our centre had proved 
utterly futile. At two o'clock of the afternoon of 
Thursday he had thrown a .large force against the 
wings commanded by Warren and Hancock, only to 
find himself driven back by the raking fire of the 
brave men who so worthily wear those distinguished 
Revolutionary names. He was repulsed at all points. 
Grant was master of the field. 

While the first battle of Grant was in progress in 
the Wilderness, Gen. Butler had been proceeding 
with his command toward Kichmond, by the way of 
James River. He landed on Thursday, May 5th, at 
Wilson's Wharf, Fort Powhattan and Bermuda, one 
hundred miles above Appomattox River. The ac- 



SECOND EICHMOND BATTLE. 277 

companying monitors and gunboats were at that time 
all over the Bar at Harrison's Landing, and above 
City Point — about fifty miles below the rebel capi- 
tal. The movement had been conducted with great 
secrecy and speed, reflecting much credit on the 
abilities of Butler. It was a part of the strategic 
plan of Grant, and a complete surprise to the 
rebels. 

As the news of these combined events spread 
abroad it startled the public mind. Eepeated pre- 
vious disappointments in military combinations, how- 
ever, had rendered the great body of 4he people 
cautious. They received the tidings with care and 
in comparative quietness. By Saturday noon the 
intelligence had reached the country, and the excite- 
ment gradually began to increase. The principal 
cities of the Union became the theatres of popular 
enthusiasm, and the price of gold fell. 

On Friday, May 6th, the second battle opened. 
The condition of the Union army was all its distin- 
guished leader desired. The troops were abundantly 
supplied with every thing they needed by the Gov- 
ernment. They entered on the great fight with a 
patriotic ardor worthy of the noble cause at stake. 
The fighting on both sides was among the most 
desperate known in modern times. The cool, deter- 
mined courage of the army of Grant proved too 
much in every instance for the desperate fury of the 
rebels. They were driven at all points. Grant held 



278 THE TANNER-BOY. 

his large force, as usual, well in hand. There was 
no straggling. 

The gallant Hancock pushed forward rapidly to 
Spottsylvania Court House, and many prisoners were 
captured. Lee was forced back several miles, leav- 
ing his dead and wounded in our hands. The town 
and celebrated fortifications of Fredericksburg, among 
the strongest and most advantageously posted of any 
in the country, were captured and held. This was a 
gain of great importance, as it furnished us a good 
base of operations for the reception of supplies and 
our wounded. Heavy siege guns were immediately 
carried forward from this stronghold, to force Lee 
from his future intrenchments. Our field was now 
full of rebel prisoners. 

The discipline of both Grant's and Lee's armies 
was now so tried that while the one steadily ad- 
vanced the other retreated in comparatively good 
order. This fact is a credit to the rebels. It clearly 
shows what any foreign foe may expect in this 
country. 

The defeat of Grant in the field to which the 
boasting foe looked forward so confidently was found 
impossible. Lee was continually compelled to fall 
back, whether to the intrenchments of Richmond or 
to the great line of defence between Chattanooga and 
Mobile was yet to be determined. 

On the part of Grant there was not a moment's 
delay in pursuit. His pontoon trains were taken up 



CHANGE OF POSITION. 279 

from the rivers as he advanced, that he might be 
ready to cross every stream in his way. Every inch 
he gained was firmly held. 

Lee, with all his generalship, in his own chosen 
positions and possessing a perfect knowledge of the 
country to which Grant was a stranger, was forced 
to retreat at every point. 

The battle had begun at five o'clock on the morn- 
ing of Friday. Grant soon perceived, with his 
practised eye, that Lee was re-enforcing Longstreet, 
in order to make an overwhelming assault on his 
left. The Lieutenant-General was instantly pre- 
pared for him. By a masterly change of position, 
as unexpected to our own generals as it was to Lee, 
he threw his columns forward and held the foe at 
bay. It was a complete surprise to Lee. The 
ground was fought over again and again, the ene- 
my at last retreating, leaving us masters of the 
field. 

In an intercepted despatch from Lee it was dis- 
covered that he announced to the rebel authorities at 
Richmond that he had been severely attacked by 
Grant and his forces thrown into some confusion ; 
that Gen. Longstreet, one of his most efficient com- 
manders, was dangerously wounded ; Gen. Jenkins, 
of South Carolina, killed; and Gen. Pegram dis- 
abled. 

This official report of the rebel chief was a forced 
admission that we had won a signal victory. 



280 THE TANNER-BOY. 

Gen. Grant was constantly in the field and under 
fire. His headquarters were frequently shelled by 
the enemy. But he was familiar with it, and pre- 
served, at all times, his immobility, coolness, calm- 
ness and decision. With unshaken confidence in the 
continued protection of an Almighty arm, and a full 
consciousness of the justice of his cause and the 
valor of his officers and men, he moved steadily 
forward on the works of the enemy. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

CONTINUED BATTLES. 

THE fight was resumed on the ensuing Saturday. 
Intelligence, meanwhile, had been received of 
the continued advance of Butler up the James River 
and through the adjacent country of the rebels toward 
Petersburg. The monitor fleet was removing ob- 
structions from the main channel, and the land-forces 
were busy destroying the railway communications of 
the vicinity. 

Sherman was reported to be advancing further 
into Georgia, driving the foe before him. The rebel 
Gen. Johnson, with a strong force, had been flanked 
by a gallant body of Grant's former veteran troops, 
who were already beginning to hear, by telegraph, 
of the successes of their victorious chief in Virginia. 

By two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, May 8th, 
our troops had advanced under Grant to the new 
front of Lee. It was soon discovered by the skir- 
mishers that he had again withdrawn. Our cavalry 
were still pressing forward. 

Late in the afternoon the rebels repeated their 
attempts to flank our right, and get between us and 
24 [281] 



282 THE TANNER-BOY. 

the Rapidan. But they were all foiled. At one 
period of these attempts it looked as if Grant was 
desirous that the enemy should be drawn into this 
position, for strategic purposes. It was thought 
best, however, to repulse him, and it was gallantly 
done. 

By nine o'clock at night it was discovered that 
Lee had fallen back toward Spottsylvania Court 
House. His line had grown perceptibly weaker, 
and our horse galloped rapidly forward, capturing a 
number of prisoners. 

It was clearly not the purpose of either general to 
bring on a simultaneous engagement. Both the 
leading spirits were evidently bent on strategy. Lee 
appeared to be aiming to cut off our communication 
in the rear by way of Germania Ford ; while Grant, 
as if utterly indifferent to this seeming purpose of 
the enemy, acted as if he courted it. He knew his 
position and his men. Lee was to have the choice 
of being cut off from his capital, or of taking up the 
gauge of battle thrown down to him in the field. 

Brief and characteristic despatches now began to 
be received from Grant. It will be remembered 
with what reticence he had pursued his approaches 
to the rear of Vicksburg. His message to the War 
Department when he left Grand Gulf to plunge into 
the f Wilderness ' of Mississippi will never be for- 
gotten : " You may not hear from me for several 
days" 



DESPATCHES. 283 

So now in his great Virginia campaign in the Old- 
Dominion c Wilderness ' he tersely says to the Secre- 
tary of War : 

" I am on to Richmond. All goes well." 

To this expressive message President Lincoln 
added another : 

" Gen. Grant has gone ahead, and drawn his ladder 
after him." 

There was little or no fighting on the following 
day. The Union army was occupied in recuperating, 
and preparing for another advance. Our progress, 
thus far, had been a continued triumph, purchased at 
the costly sacrifice of many patriot lives — a sacrifice 
richly prized by a ransomed and grateful country. 
We had gained at every point, and already held in 
our hands more than two thousand rebel prisoners, 
while the enemy had taken but comparatively few 
from us. 

The reception of the news by the people now 
became impressive. It was foreseen by all who 
understood and appreciated the situation that there 
must of necessity be much more hard fighting before 
this rebellious monster of barbarism and outrage 
could be put to the death it deserved. Hence the 
popular enthusiasm was restrained and considerate. 
The war was felt to be one of principle on the part of 
the United States, a war bravely fought for the tri- 



284 THE TANNER-BOY. 

umph of free government throughout the world. 
But there were no unseemly exultations, no malicious 
rejoicings over the falling foe. 

On the evening of Monday, May 9th, a body of 
the people gathered spontaneously before the Execu- 
tive Mansion at Washington. The band of the 
Twenty-seventh Regiment of Ohio, Grant's native 
State, which was then on its way to the field, paused 
at the grounds and performed the national airs. 
President Lincoln was called out on the balcony of 
the White House for a speech. He responded to the 
call by appearing before the assembled thousands, 
and proposing to join them in hearty cheers for 
Lieutenant - General Grant and the brave armies 
under his command. The cheers were heartily 
given, and the grateful multitude quietly retired to 
their homes. 

In both Houses of Congress, then in session, the 
brief official despatches were read to the members 
and people present, and received with thankful dem- 
onstrations. 

The field of battle that day witnessed a continu- 
ance of the great struggle. The enemy made a 
determined stand near Spottsylvania Court House, 
and our forces gallantly attacked. At this point the 
army and the country were called to mourn the loss 
of Major-General Sedgwick, of Connecticut, who 
fell in the ramparts that had just been captured. 
Gen. Wadsworth, of New York, a citizen of dis- 



LEE SHORT OF SUPPLIES. 285 

tinction who was among the first to volunteer for the 
Union, had just previously fallen, with Gen. Ste- 
venson, of Massachusetts, and other brave men. 

As the day advanced Grant still moved forward. 
Burnside had inflicted a serious blow on Longstreet, 
and all our troops were eager to avenge the deaths 
of their commanders and comrades. They were 
sanguine of success, and it was admitted by all had 
never fought so well before. 

An evidence of the inherent weakness of some of 
the arrangements of Lee was discovered in an inter- 
cepted order in relation to supplies. He admitted 
that his communications with Riohmond were being 
cut off, and that it was impossible to furnish his men 
with provisions. Our own troops, on the contrary, 
were not only flushed with victory but well supplied 
at all points. The resistance they met but inspired 
their courage and impelled them to still greater 
deeds of valor. 

Up to this time our artillery had not been brought 
into full play. The fights were mostly those of the 
infantry and cavalry. A body of horse under Gen. 
Torbett drove the rebels rapidly from beyond Spott- 
sylvania, and being joined by the Fourth Division 
of Maryland, the conflict became very severe, termi- 
nating favorably to the Union arms. 

Intelligence was now received from Gen. Butler 
that he held the portions of the Richmond and 
Petersburg Railway he had captured, and that his 



286 THE TANNER-BOY. 

troops were still advancing up the Peninsula toward 
Richmond. The colored regiments had deployed 
toward the Cliickahominy River, and fought well. 
A rebel fort was taken on the Appomattox. The 
fleet was active on the James River. The rebel 
Gen. Beauregard was reported to be hemmed in at 
Petersburg. A report came from the James-River 
Department that Lee was wounded, and in Rich- 
mond. This, however, was soon contradicted. 

The grand result, thus far, had been eminently 
favorable. Grant had boldly challenged the whole 
strength of the Rebel Confederacy, and firmly and 
calmly resolved to test with it the combined 
power of the United States to maintain their inde- 
pendence, on the crimson fields of Virginia. Per- 
fectly self-possessed, he had deliberately drawn the 
whole force of the rebels on his serried columns, 
confident that, with the blessing of Heaven, they 
would withstand the shock of battle and press on to 
final victory. 

Recaptured prisoners who had been far to the 
front of the enemy gave information that the rebel 
authorities were busily engaged in the removal of 
their most valuable property and papers from Rich- 
mond. Lee had already given repeated proofs that 
he was discomfited by the unlooked-for strategy of 
Grant and the stubborn valor of the Union troops. 
It had been ascertained, on good authority, that the 
Bebels had already lost thirty thousand men in 



THE " STONEAVALL " BRIGADE. 287 

battle, while their means of re-enforcing were grow- 
ing less and less with each succeeding day. On our 
side the losses, although large, had been less in pro- 
portion, while our re-enforcements were abundant 
and came steadily forward. 

Gen. Butler was now pressing Fort Darling, and 
Gen. Kautz, under his command, was operating with 
a large cavalry force against the Danville and Rich- 
mond Railway. Other Richmond railways were seri- 
ously damaged by Gen. Sheridan. The number of 
rebel prisoners in our hands swelled to more than 
nine thousand, including several generals and other 
officers high in command. Over thirty guns had 
been captured and were safely within our lines. 
Among the rebels taken was the remainder of the 
division once commanded by the celebrated " Stone- 
wall Jackson." This body of men was believed to 
be utterly invincible by the rebels, and its capture 
was one of the heaviest blows they had been called 
to meet. 

The colored troops in the Army of the Potomac, 
like their brothers in the Army of the Peninsula, 
fought all the time with intrepid valor. By their 
steadiness, coolness and courage under fire they 
clearly disproved, sword and bayonet in hand for our 
country, the infamous falsehoods of their enemies. 
No better soldiers, in proportion to their times of 
service and opportunities, were found on the most 
hard-fought fields. In the midst of privations, in 



288 THE TANNER-BOY. 

tbe face of death, they established for ever to the 
world their equality as soldiers with the rest of 
mankind. 

The despatches of Grant came forward, at proper 
intervals, with all his appropriate brevity and force. 

In a telegram to the Secretary of War, dated 
"In the Field, May 11th, '64," he says : 

" We have now ended the sixth day of very heavy fight- 
ing. The result to this time is much in our favor. 

" Our losses have been heavy, as well as those of the 
enemy. I think the loss of the enemy must be greater. 

" TVe have taken over five thousand prisoners in battle, 
while he has taken from us but few, except stragglers. 

"I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all 
summer." 

The modest manner in which his glorious victories 
were at first announced was only equalled by the cool 
self-possession with which he stated his purpose in 
the last .line. Was ever strength of character better 
condensed in a few plain words ? 

The closing statement had done more to assure the 
country than almost any thing that had ever been 
uttered during the war. It showed the people, at a 
glance, the true character of the struggle, and as- 
sured them that if he was so patient in the field, 
surrounded thickly with privations and dangers, what 
ought they to be, safe in their homes? 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

MANNERS AND HABITS. 

" 1VT0W, Major ! " said one of our Tanner-Boy 
-Ll circle, "you have been giving us a great 
many facts and details about Gen. Grant, as he ap- 
pears in the war." 

"Yes," replied the Major, his countenance lighting 
up with patriotic pride as he spoke, " I have felt it to 
be my duty to lay before my young countrymen every 
thing in the life of the great commander just as it is." 

"This is the way I like to learn history," added 
the eldest of our group. "I shall always try to re- 
member what we have heard about his youth, about 
West Point, Texas, Mexico, the wicked Rebellion 
in our country, and how well he has fought for us 
all." 

" And I sha^l not soon forget about that wonderful 
Mississippi River," chimed in Ned, " nor the persever- 
ance of Gen. Grant to open it to free trade." 

"Nor I," said Tom, "about that voyage through 
those wild passes in the woods." 

"Would you like to hear how Gen. Grant looks 
and acts among his friends ? " inquired the Major, as 
he glanced at his young circle. 

# 25 [2&V] 



290 THE TANNER-BOY. 

" Oh ! yes, dear Major ! indeed we should ! " was 
the response of all. 

"Well, then," he concluded, "I will tell you." 

Gen. Grant is about the medium height. His 
countenance is open and keenly expressive of a man 
of deep thought. He has auburn hair, and wears a 
beard and mustache, both trimmed close. His eyes 
are a grayish blue, and indicative of quickness and dis- 
tance of perception. The mouth and chin are pecu- 
liarly significant of his character — will and firmness. 

When excited, especially in action, the eye becomes 
fixed in a remarkable manner, and the lips and chin 
assume a tightness and rigidity that strike the be- 
holder at once. The lips contract and the chin works 
as the mind progresses with its plans, until the whole 
man is roused, and he seems ready to bear down all 
opposition before him. 

" We have heard much, Major," casually observed 
one present, " of the indifference of the General to 
dress. Are we to understand that he carries this 
to extremes?" 

" By no means ! " quickly responded the Major, his 
dignity now fairly roused. " I wish it to be distinctly 
understood that Gen. Grant is not in any sense a 
sloven. Gen. Grant, remember, is a gentleman." 

" Oh ! I am sure I should have thought so by what 
you have told us. No one but a real American 
gentleman could or would have done the noble things 
recorded of Gen. Grant." 



MANNERS AND Hab its . ' 

x have been with him » +1. nr . 

Perfect!, vveH what his per J^ ; -dl W 
^please tell us, Wt you >» are " 

a^ ft^irc it r sw ° r *"* * 

made with reference to ~ arra ngements are 

in the public s™ He T^ ° f ^ "* S P ace 
—I and th " a ; J2™ JU8t the fe -st table 
We kind. The L71 7 ^ and most <W 
At breakfast ^l^*'^^ ******. 
of coffee. W hf T ' a mutton - c hop and cup 

<w. Kott^ics r hard - tack f - 

-Ihe General's bed is a hard camp cot A * , 

ba f m a small incased looW-i a fr ♦ 7*' 
Wbrush a tooth-brush, su^J ^ f ^ a 

-r does he encourage &££ *** * « *«-, 

a manner entirely ™ ant -. Ge neral being WO rn ; n 
S ta„tl y engaged hf h r Sentatl ° US - He is «> con- 
of Wf apparel 1 rdU ° US duti6S t,lat ** aspect 
U ° an ° COl W his mind to but 1 Lie 



292 THE TANNER-BOY. 

extent; yet there is that about his motions, even in 
his outward indifference to show, which marks his 
superiority. 

Like Garibaldi, Grant would look a man of mark 
in a red flannel shirt. So deeply, earnestly, sincerely 
intent is this distinguished soldier on the- salvation of 
his country that the fripperies of fashion and adorn- 
ments of dress sink beneath contempt in his eyes. 

Talk to him of carriages, and he thinks of those 
that carry the guns of the Union against the Rebel- 
lion. Speak of horses, and he is reminded of the 
brave squadrons he would set in the field for liberty. 
Mention tempting viands, rich dinners and splendid 
suppers, and his mind recurs to the rations of his 
noble troops in line of battle. Name the fashion of 
dress, and he sees before him the stalwart forms of 
brave men wrapped in army-cloaks, musket or sword 
in hand, all eager to strike for the right. 

No man of all the hundreds of thousands he has 
commanded ever heard Gen. Grant use profane lan- 
guage. His manners are grave ; evidently like those 
he saw at home in his youth. He has humor ; but it 
is of that quiet sort which never indulges in boisterous 
laughter. 

Always hopeful, always disposed to speak well of 
every one, always devoted to the constitutional Gov-' 
eminent he has sworn to defend, never complaining, 
never jealous, self-reliant, persevering, modest, hon- 
est, brave. 



MANNERS AND HABITS. 293 

No conception of him could be more mistaken than 
to suppose Gen. Grant to be a jovial, swaggering, 
sporting man ; dressing like a laborer, studying to 
be careless ; fond of jokes and drinking. He is no- 
thing of the kind. 

From his youth he has abhorred personal disputes. 
He never uses or tolerates improper language. He 
is cordial, cheerful, yet reserved. His sincerity is 
transparent, and his reticence extraordinary. No 
one living can ascertain his plans if he chooses to 
retain them. In his opinions he is always tolerant 
yet always earnest. He has no ostentation ; no 
desire to make a show of himself or his deeds ; no 
taste for gratifying idle curiosity. 

One striking feature in his intellectual character is 
his ability to ascertain and decide on the relative 
merits of different men and things at one and the 
same time. In this respect he has the rare faculty 
of selecting the right man for the right place. 

One of his highest meeds of praise consists in the 
fact that through all his commands to his present 
elevated post he has had no jealousies, bickerings or 
quarrels among his officers. He has had no court- 
martials. Not a* man of his immediate command was 
ever shot for desertion. 

The opinion entertained of Grant by Garibaldi was 
recently elicited at an interview between the brave 
Italian and the American consul, in London. 

" I admire your General Grant," said Garibaldi on 



294 THE TANNER-BOY. 

that occasion. " He is a brave and efficient officer. 
His Western campaign is one of the most masterly 
military feats on record. He is 'the right man in 
the right place ' and above all others fitted to com- 
mand the American armies." 

Such was Ulysses Grant on the day of his being 
made Lieutenant-General of the Army of the United 
States. Such is he at this hour, leading on the em- 
battled hosts of the Union for the overthrow of the 
Rebellion. 

May God preserve him ! 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

MORE NEWS FROM THE FRONT. 

" XT THAT is the last news from the front, Ma- 
H jor?" eagerly inquired Robert, the elder, 
as he entered the room, earlier than usual in the 
morning. "Have you heard?" 

" I hear frequently," replied the Major, " and from 
parties who can be relied upon. But hereafter in our 
history I shall not go so much into particulars as I 
have done in most cases. It will be impossible for 
me or. any one to mention here all the days and places 
and names of the great fight of the General to capture 
Richmond. We must wait for the official reports. 
And, besides, I mean, one of these days, to give you 
a special history about the capture of Richmond." 

" Oh ! that will be just the thing !" said both Ned 
and Tom, at the same moment. "Just what we 
should like." 

" You shall have it," said the Major. 

Now let us go on with the Union men to the front. 

By the twelfth of May, 1864, the left wing of the 
Rebel Army had been seriously disabled and ten thou- 

[295] 



296 THE TANNER-BOY. 

sand prisoners taken from the enemy. But the 
resistance of the traitors was of such a nature as to 
convince every careful observer that the struggle was 
to be one of endurance as well as valor. The ques- 
tion did not seem to be — Which army can fight the 
bravest ? but — Which army can endure the longest ? 
The problem of equality of bravery had been settled 
early in the war. It was Greek meeting Greek — 
American meeting American. 

The fiery contest must be fought out. One thing 
had become certain — the Union would never sur- 
render. 

A multitude of touching proofs of patriotism oc- 
curred that will be for ever embalmed in history. 
Time and space would fail us to record even a tithe 
of them in these pages. 

Brig. -Gen. Rice was mortally wounded while lead- 
ing on his men, colors in hand. Being carried in a 
hospital-ambulance from the field in company with 
one of his staff to a place of quiet, he soon expired. 
Just before dying he sent this telegram to his wife : 
"I have been true to my country." In a few mo- 
ments the patriot-hero was no more. 

A report from Gen. Sheridan, in command of 
Grant's cavalry, dated at headquarters, May 10th, 
stated that he had then* turned the enemy's right, 
pushed to the rear and destroyed nearly ten miles of 
railway, two locomotives, three trains of cars and a 
very large quantity of rebel supplies. There was 



NEWS FKOM THE FRONT. 297 

much excitement among the inhabitants and army in 
rebellion. All attempts of the enemy to annoy him 
had failed. He had recaptured five hundred of our 
men, two of them colonels of regiments. 

Gen. Grant reported on the 12th of May to the 
Secretary of War that up to that hour every thing 
was going on well. We had lost no organization in 
the battle — not even a company ; while we had de- 
stroyed and captured one division, one brigade and 
one regiment. The capture of this division, em- 
bracing four thousand men, was exclusive of Lee's 
killed and wounded left on the field. 

All the prisoners taken from the enemy continued 
to admit that Lee was astonished at the tactics of 
Grant. The rebel chief had evidently lost spirit if 
he was still stubborn in fight. His men gave unmis- 
takable signs of being less elated though yet sullen. 
They did not give their savage yells, as had been 
their wont, but charged or fought or retreated in 
dogged silence. 

When Lee received orders in the field from the 
rebel President to fall back for the defence of the 
imperilled capital of the Rebellion, he coolly de- 
spatched a brigade across the Rapidan, and deliber- 
ately planted a park of artillery so as to command 
Germania Ford; as if he supposed, of course, that 
Grant would pursue the old tactics of firing and fall- 
ing back. Instead of this he found Grant holding 
every inch of ground he gained ; and ready every 



298 THE TANNER-BOY. 

moment in line of battle to contend for more. It 
bewildered Lee. Such conduct on the part of a 
Union commander was not in his programme. It 
was decidedly inconvenient to all his plans. 

The style of fighting adopted by Grant gave the 
highest satisfaction to his citizen-troops. They could 
understand it. They saw the point at once. Weary 
and depleted as they were with long marching and 
hard fighting they cheered the hero as he passed 
and obeyed every order with alacrity and enthusiasm. 
They had never seen it on this wise before. They 
felt that at last they had the Rebellion in their hands. 

A strong position had been gained by our troops. 
The importance of holding it was apparent to the 
general in command ; but he wished for special in- 
structions. Galloping with all speed to headquarters 
he asked : 

"What shall be done with it, Lieutenant-General?" 

"Pile in the men ! — hold it at all hazards !" came 
the prompt reply of Grant. 

It was done. 

This was the man. It was West Point over again. 
"What he gained he held. 

Up to noon of the 12th of May there was occasional 
skirmishing. Our men continued full of enthusiasm. 

A wounded Union officer lay panting on the bloody 
grass. Gen. Grant passing by stopped and bent 
tenderly over him. He knew the Lieutenant-General, 
and with his last struggles gave the official signal. 



DYING HEROES. 299 

An army chaplain held his arms around the gallant 
hero. 

"Turn me over," gasped he, as Gen. Grant lingered 
near his fallen comrade. 

"Which way?" inquired the chaplain, his eyes 
swimming with tears, and his v^ice trembling as he 
spoke. 

" Turn my face toward the enemy, and let me die ! " 
whispered he. 

The chaplain turned him gently; and as he lay 
there, with his glazing eyes strained over the gory 
battle-field in the direction of. the enemy, his spirit 
passed into the presence of God. He was dead. 

A citizen-soldier entered one of the field-hospitals, 
his arm torn from his shoulder by a rebel shell. For- 
getting his agony he cried : 

" I have lost my arm ; but heal the wound quick, 
for I want to be in the fight again ! " 

Immediately he commenced singing : 

" The Union for ever ! Hurrah boys ! Hurrah ! 
Down with the Traitor 1 Up with the Star ! 
We'll rally round the Flag, boys — rally once again! 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! 
Rally round the Flag, boys ! Rally once again ! 
Rally from the hillside ! Rally from the plain ! 

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! " 

More than a score of brave fellows, as they lay 
wounded around, joined in the chorus : 

w We'll rally round the Flag, boys ! Rally once again ! 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom ! " 



300 THE TANNER-BOY. 

It was a sublime scene, gloriously illustrating the 
motto of the dying Warren on the crest of Bunker 
Hill: 

"Dulce, ! dulce et decorum est, pro patria mori ! " 

"It is sweet, oh! it is sweet and decorous for our country to 
diel" # 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

"come in, soldier." 

ff T\ID y° u near what the General said to a soldier 
JL/ in the cars, on his way to the camp ? " inquired 
the Major the other day. 

"No, sir ; " cried a prompt voice, on the right side 
of the wooden leg, "Won't you please tell us, 
Major?" 

The General had entered the train for one of his 
posts of duty, and quietly taken a seat with his 
staff, all bound to the place nearest the field. A sen- 
try had been stationed at the door near where the 
General sat, for the purpose of preserving him from 
interruptions. A soldier of the line, not knowing 
that he was inside, stepping quickly forward on the 
platform had half opened the door of the car and 
was about entering. As he stood there, the knob 
of the door in his hand, the quick word and musket 
of the sentinel interposed : 

" Halt ! you can't go in there ! " 

"Why not?" asked he, respectfully. 

"Gen. Grant is inside." 

1301] 



302 THE TANNER-BOY. 

The soldier paused and was about retiring, when 
a quick voice from within said : 

" Come in, soldier ! Gen. Grant only occupies one 
seat." 

The soldier looked a moment in surprise at the 
speaker, when, being re-assured by the glance that 
answered his, he politely entered and took the 
proffered seat by the side of the Lieutenant-Gene- 
ral. 

It was in this spirit this great commander went 
forward to the front. Is it surprising that such a 
man should win the love and confidence of all around 
him? 

In the course of the early part of the Richmond 
campaign a report came to the General that the 
enemy had broken our lines, and was driving all 
before him. He was at the moment surrounded by 
several of his principal generals and staff-officers. 
The air was full of thick smoke, so that the field 
could be but imperfectly discerned. The roar of 
cannon, the crashing of shells, the rattle of musketry, 
the confusion of a portion of the troops incident to 
such a report, occasioned looks of anxiety among 
nearly every' one of the officers. They glanced at 
each other in silence. 

"Is that so?" 

"Can it be?" ^ 

"What is to be done?" 

These inquiries passed in rapid tones from mouth 



don't believe it ! " 303 

to mouth. Grant was silent and unmoved as a solid 
rock in the midst of dashing waves. 

Looking calmly at his principal general he coolly 
said : 

"Don't believe it!" 

In the twinkling of an eye every one was re- 
assured. His quick prescience had filled them all. 
Neither, then, did they believe it. The report was 
false. And so it proved to be. 

" Fight on ! » continued Grant. " Throw forward 
the columns ! We are all right ! " 

This incident, added the Major, reminds me of 
what occurred with us in one of Grant's hardest 
battles at the West. 

The General's staff-surgeon, Major Hewitt, being 
much among the killed and wounded, and seeing the 
great superiority of the enemy in numbers and & posi- 
tion, was secretly inclined to think we must with- 
draw. He cautiously expressed his opinion to the 

General, and in a low tone asked 

f What do you intend to do General, if he beats 
you?' 

^ f I don't mean he shall beat me ! ' replied he, with 
his usual equanimity. 

f I know you don't, General, of course. But sup- 
pose he does — what then ? ' 

c It is not a supposable case, sir ! ' quickly added 
the General, with an increased firmness of voice and 
manner. 



304 THE TANNER-BOY. 

* The transports at the river,' interposed one of the 
generals, 'will not carry over one-tenth part of our 
force, in face of the fire of the enemy.' 

'They will carry all there are of us, before we 
leave this battle unfought ! ' calmly added the hero. 

This reply settled the question. We fought on 
and conquered. Just as we were leaving the field 
the General in his quiet, dry way remarked that the 
staff-surgeon had told him he thought the enemy 
would drive us — playfully closing : 

' Major Hewitt 
Says they can do it : 
General Grant 
Says they can't ! ' 

There was a pleasant smile at the expense of the 
Major, and we passed into our tents. 

This invulnerability of purpose, this unshaken 
self-reliance, this immobility in danger and intrepidity 
of assault mark out Grant as the man of the horn-. 
Obstructions in his path only serve to develop his 
power. He always carries with him a reserve force 
in his own breast. Other men, of course, have equal 
capacity, equal scientific skill, equal courage. But 
few men have equal rapidity of thought, invention 
and execution ; very few men have equal vigor, per- 
sistency and determined perseverance. Never im- 
patient, never delaying, never discouraged, he presses 
steadily on. When the blessing of Heaven goes 



THE POCKET COMrASS. 305 

with him, in a good cause, he cannot, will not and 
does not fail. 

" I was present at a graphic scene," earnestly re- 
sumed the Major, who had just limped up from the 
front with a squad of wounded braves in Ins kind 
care. 

"What was it Major?" asked Ned, who was al- 
ways ready to hear, his eyes brightening up for more 
news. 

We were standing around a tree in the field near 
Spottsylvania. Although it was early Sunday morn- 
ing, the enemy was already at work attacking us. 
The shells were flying thick through the air, and 
some of them fell close by the quarters of Gen. 
Grant. One struck suddenly within a few feet of 
where he was standing and buried itself deep in the 
soft earth, without exploding. 

The General stepped quickly forward to where the 
warm steam yet rose from the heated soil, and calmly* 
surveyed the spot. 

"Bring me a pocket-compass," said he, turning to 
an orderly. 

It was brought instantly. 

Stooping down on one knee he fixed the compass 
before him, and, as if he were surveying a lot of land, 
looked out in the direction from which the deadly 
missile had come. 

"Due south-west," he quietly observed. "Tell 
the gunners to aim in that direction." 

26 



306 THE TANNER-BOY. 

It was quickly done ; and in a moment more the 
Union shot and shell were raining so thickly on the 
rebel battery that it was driven at once from its po- 
sition. 

Such is the courage of that noble heart — such the 
skill of that practised eye. 

The respect for strict army discipline which Gen. 
Grant enjoins on others he is careful to observe him- 
self. 

Approaching the tent of one of his generals in 
the field for private consultation, he was about enter- 
ing with his lighted cigar in his mouth. The sentinel, 
to whom he was then a stranger, on presenting arms 
politely said : 

" The General does not allow any one to go in his 
tent smoking." 

" Oh ! very well ! " said Grant. " That is right. 
The order of the General shall be obeyed ! " Im- 
mediately he threw away his cigar, and, returning 
the soldier's salute, passed in. 

Small things sometimes reveal the true greatness 
of men better than large ones. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

THE FIGHT CONTINUES. 

SKIRMISHING had constantly occurred along 
both the lines of battle. Grant had expected 
stubborn resistance on the part of the enemy and 
was fully prepared for it. His progress was to be 
slow but sure. 

Re-enforcements continued to be thrown forward to 
both armies. 

The spot to which Grant had now driven Lee was 
beyond the " Wilderness." It was in the vicinity of 
Spottsylvania Court House, about fifty miles from 
Richmond. Lee had evidently calculated on beating 
Grant at this point, and driving him back on Wash- 
ington. But, with all his calculations, the wily foe 
had not calculated on the splendid strategy and stub- 
born will and dauntless courage of Grant. 

M The use of strategy," said our hero to one of his 
staff, " is to get at the enemy. What I want to know 
is where to find him and how to get at h^p. When I 
know and can do that, if I have sufficient force tlie 

rest is all right." 

[307] 



308 THE TANNER-BOY. 

Lee had never met with such an antagonist before. 

In every onset the Union hosts behaved with splen- 
did valor. Intercepted despatches of the enemy ad- 
mitted that their courage and nerve were unexpected 
by the vaunting foe. On several occasions the troops 
of South Carolina and Massachusetts met face to face 
in deadly conflict ; and in every instance the long- 
boasted superiority of the Southron was boldly hurled 
headlong on the trembling ground and nobly tram- 
pled in the gory dust. He was bitterly compelled 
at last to admit at the mouth of the cannon and the 
musket, the point of the bayonet and the edge of the 
sabre, that the hitherto despised Yankee was his 
equal on the field of battle. History has already 
attested him to be at least his equal in every other 
place. 

In spite of all his boasting despatches to the rebel 
cabal at Eichmond, Lee could no longer conceal the 
fact that he was compelled constantly to. change posi- 
tion and as constantly to retreat. By the evening of 
Monday, May 16th, we had again increased our cap- 
ture of his guns, and the number of prisoners taken 
from him in fair fight swelled to thirteen thousand. 
He took from us but few prisoners except stragglers, 
only three or four guns, and utterly failed to reach 
the much-coveted and greatly-needed object of his 
fighting — our well-filled army train. His proportion 
of losses in killed and severely wounded far exceeded 
ours. 



ADDRESS TO THE TROOPS. 309 

Every desperate movement made by the traitors to 
regain their lost positions signally failed. 

Grant was master of the field, and with all their 
savage strategy and barbarous cunning they could 
not take it from him. 

By direction of the Lieutenant- General an address 
was issued to the troops. It was dated "Head- 
quarters in the Field," May 13th, 1864. 

In a few well-chosen words they were reminded that 
for eight days and nights, almost without intermis- 
sion, in sunshine and in rain, they had gallantly 
fought a desperate foe in positions naturally strong, 
and rendered doubly so by intrenchments. 

They had compelled him to retire, step by step, 
before their onward progress. They were assured 
that their heroic deeds, their noble endurance of 
privation and fatigue would be ever memorable. 
Called upon to reader thanks to the God of battles 
for the mercies already shown, they were earnestly 
enjoined to ask for their continuance. 

A great work was still before them. The enemy 
was again to be pursued, met and conquered. Re- 
enforcements were at hand. By the continued 
blessing of Heaven their great object must finally be 
achieved. 

The effect of this patriotic appeal was everywhere 
encouraging. The men felt renewed confidence in 
their great captain and themselves, and pressed 
forward with renewed vigor. 



310 THE TANNER-BOY. 

The intelligence of repeated successes under Sheri- 
dan, near Richmond, of Butler at Petersburg and on 
the James River, and of Sherman, in Georgia, came 
cheeringly to hand. Although it was apparent from 
all advices that the rebels were fighting in their bad 
cause with a determined bravery and persistence 
worthy of a good one, still evidences were multiply- 
ing that their supplies were being cut off, and that the 
spirits of the rebellious inhabitants near the battle- 
fields were gradually becoming less exultant. Some 
of the most wealthy planters withdrew within the 
intrenchments at Richmond, carrying what supplies 
they could with them, and employing their negroes 
in the unwilling and unpaid work of aiding to fortify 
the city. 

At midnight of the 13th of May the main body of 
the rebel army were reported to be retreating on 
Gordonsville, a strongly intrenched post of the ene- 
my on the Virginia Central Railway, about forty-five 
miles direct from Richmond. Much reliance had 
been placed by Lee on the strength of this post. 
The country leading to and from it was more open 
than that of the Wilderness, but the roads at that 
time were in an almost impassable condition for 
troops, artillery and munitions. But Grant pressed 
steadily on. He politely declined to be the purveyor 
for the army of Gen. Lee, decidedly preferring to 
take care of his own. Hence the rebel chieftain 
could no longer depend as he had so often done 



FLAG OF TRUCE. 311 

before on the loyal and hard-working people of the 
United States furnishing him with supplies, while he 
should be at his bloody work of destroying their 
gallant sons in his cruel and wicked and barbarous 
war for the perpetuity of human bondage. Unfor- 
tunately for him Grant had to be consulted on the 
important subject of supplies. He sent forward his 
empty wagons, by scores, in the fond hope of filling 
them from the despised Yankee commissaries ; but 
alas ! for the vanity and instability of human hopes ! 
The wilful and stubborn Grant was so disobliging as 
to capture them on their way, and retain them in his 
own possession for the use of the sick and wounded 
soldiers ! It was a terrible cut on chivalry ; but 
terrible as it was it had to be endured. 

A flag of truce came within our lines. Now 
Grant had been favored with an extensive practical 
experience with regard to the secret operation of 
rebel flags of truce. He understood them perfectly. 
He was therefore all prepared for this one, even 
though it came from the great strategist of all — the 
traitor Lee. 

The cunning request accompanying the flag was 
that a cessation of hostilities should take place, in 
order to allow the rebels time to bury their dead left 
behind in our hands. 

" Give my compliments to Gen. Lee," said Grant 
in his reply to the flag, " and be so kind as to inform 
him that I have men enough with me to Jbury all the 



312 THE TANNER-BOY. 

dead — his own as well as mine. And please say to 
him," concluded the Lieutenant-General, with the 
calm reserve peculiar to him, " that I beg he will not 
give himself any trouble, nor in any way change his 
plan of operations, on that account." 

The messenger returned and the victorous Grant 
moved on. He was perversely bent on completing 
his original programme — to fight it out on this line 
if it required all the summer. 

These combined powerful and successful move- 
ments of Grant had a twofold effect. They encour- 
aged the Union and discouraged the Rebellion. 
Public confidence was strengthened, — public stocks 
advanced in the United States. Among the rebels 
the Richmond papers began to intimate that the 
Southern masses were making up their minds that 
the war would terminate this year, one way or the 
other. 

"If Lee should fail," said one editor, "and his 
army be unsuccessful, we greatly fear that the majority 
of the people will begin to look the other ivay." 

The r other way ' here alluded to was construed to 
mean a returning glance toward the United States. 
It was shrewdly supposed that the advancing columns 
of the conquering Grant had a forcible tendency to 
strengthen the rebel eyesight in that. direction. 

Notwithstanding all its losses by the casualties of 
this great struggle the Army of the Potomac was 
declared to be relatively stronger on the 14th of May 



THE NEWS AT WASHINGTON. 313 

than it was when it crossed the Rapidan. At that 
time the only railway by which the retreating rebel 
army could readily receive supplies was that leading 
from Richmond to Danville. Every other -line had 
been more or less seriously damaged in their rear. 
With no- supplies to be obtained from the close-fisted 
Grant, not even -a biscuit of hard-tack or a junk of 
beef or pork, what was the flower of the chivalry to 
do? 

At Washington the public business was suspended 
in Congress. The senators and representatives left 
their seats to watch at the bedsides of our wounded 
heroes. The ladies of the capital, with the wife of 
President Lincoln at their head, flocked around the 
sufferers with the tenderness and gentleness of their 
sex, supplying all their wants from abundant stores. 
One donation of a million of dollars came pouring 
in from New York to that noble auxiliary, the United- 
States Sanitary Commission, the proceeds of a fair 
held for the purpose in that city. Other equally 
patriotic towns and neighborhoods sent forward their 
offerings, with equal generosity and abundance in pro- 
portion to their means. From the extremes of the 
East, the North and the West, from the emancipated 
people of Louisiana, South and North Carolina, the 
freewill tributes 6f patriotic gratitude and love flowed 
in upon the bleeding martyrs to American Liberty, 
in a manner thaf must for ever shed a halo of glory 
around the American name. 

27 



314 THE TAXXER-BOY. 

In the heat of battles on the field, during the 
thickest of the deadly fights, numerous instances of 
touching devotion to our country continued to occur. 

"What are you doing there my lad?" asked a 
gentleman of a wounded Union boy, who was found 
on one of the roads where the conflict had raged 
most fiercely. 

"Picking flowers, sir," he modestly replied. 

"Flowers? What are you gathering them for 
here?" 

" To make a bunch, sir. See here, sir ; haven't I 
made a pretty one?" 

" But, my boy, you are wounded ! " 

"Yes, sir, I am ; but I was out of the way here. 
Nobody saw me, or came to me ; and so I have been 
crawling round to pick flowers ! " 

"You are a brave boy ! " said the gentleman, lift- 
ing him tenderly up in his arms ; " and I will take 
care of you." 

So saying he bore the foung hero away to a pi a re 
of comfort and rest, where his wounds were speedily 
soothed and every want supplied. 

Noble young American patriot ! There he had 
lain fri the Wilderness, while the roar of battle was 
going on around him, unseen by any eye save the 
all-seeing eye of God. Faint with loss of blood 
shed in his country's cause, unable to stand on the 
sacred soil he was bleeding to redeem to his native 
land and liberty, expecting to meet death there, all 



BATTLE FLOWERS. 315 

.alone, he had crept silently around among the wild 
flowers of battle to gather a sweet bouquet of peace. 
Perhaps he thought to keep them for his mother at 
home. Perhaps they might be laid on his humble 
grave. 

. As the kind stranger bore him gently away to the 
hospital he looked up to him with a brave, sweet, 
loving smile, never to be forgotten by him who 
saw it. 

Flowers plucked by a patriot soldier-boy from 
Freedom's battle-field ! Flowers enriched with the 
warm blood of a young American hero ! May they 
blossom and bloom for ever around the brow of 

The Tanner-Boy! 



Here, for the present, we leave him. At the 
moment of our closing these pages he is in the centre 
of the most eventful field of battle ever fought. 
What may be the particulars of its final result is 
known only to that all-wise and ever-gracious Provi- 
dence that for ever controls the destinies of nations 
and of men. 

Of one thing we are certain : the part taken by 
Ulysses Grant in this great transition struggle of 
the American Republic will be patriotic, honorable, 
magnanimous, brave. When the hour of consum- 



31 fi THE TANNER-BOY. 

mation comes the pen of history will record all his 
noble deeds. 

Let reader and author unite at parting in the 
sincere prayer of every patriot heart — 

God save the Lieutenant-General ! 



St. reotj ped and Printed by John Wilson & Son, Boston. 



*y> 









